Girl, 10, left bloodied and bruised after two bottlenose dolphins attack and drag her underwater during holiday
A 10-year-old girl from Britain was left bloodied and bruised after two bottlenose dolphins launched a terrifying attack on her in Mexico. Reports state that Lexi Yeo was attacked by the animals when she participated in a holiday event in Cancun, which involved her swimming with the dolphins.
The girl's mother, identified as 40-year-old Laura-Jane Yeo, from Barkingside, east London, said she was horrified to watch a pair of dolphins "dragging" her daughter underwater in the sea pen. The animals did not cease to attack her despite pleas from the trainers, Lexi was eventually rescued after she managed to cling to her bodyboard and was dragged to safety.
The 10-year-old reportedly emerged battered from the water with deep bite marks, cuts, and bruises all over her body. The managers of the event said the incident occurred because of a male dolphin who "should not have been in the pen," according to the Sun.
The girl's mother, who is a nursery nurse, while talking to the outlet, recounted the trauma of the incident which occurred last month, saying: "It was terrifying. I thought she was going to die. But I've not even had a card, flowers or teddy bear for Lexi from TUI (a leading travel company). They have washed their hands of us. More concerning, the dolphins are still swimming with tourists and TUI are continuing to work with the company."
The company, Dolphin Discovery, which held the event is reportedly investigating the incident.
It is not yet known why dolphins attack humans, as unlike sharks, the marine animals do not eat their victims. According to an expert from the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG), it is impossible to know whether a dolphin deliberately attacks a human or just attempts to play with them. Dolphins are known to often engage in rough play by holding each other down and chasing.