Japan beachgoers warned to steer clear of dolphins after spate of attacks

An Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin, as seen here, is thought to be behind a spate of attacks on swimmers at beaches in Japan’s Fukui prefecture. Photograph: Natalia Pryanishnikova/Alamy

Beachgoers in Japan are being urged to stay away from dolphins following a spate of attacks thought to involve a single animal that have left at least six people with minor injuries.

The cetacean – believed to be an adult Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin – has bitten several swimmers at three beaches in Fukui prefecture on the Sea of Japan coast since the end of July.