AQUARIUM PANIC
Terrifying moment angry dolphin attacks trainer as she disappears underwater in front of horrified families in Miami
HORRIFYING footage shows the moment that an “angry” dolphin attacked its trainer during a show.
Sundance turned violent in front of terrified children and families during the Flipper show at the Miami Seaquarium.
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The 23-year-old dolphin has lived at the oceanarium for his entire life, but attempted to drown his trainer during the event.
In footage posted to TikTok the dolphin can be seen lunging at her, as two other performers race out of the pool to interfere.
Sundance lunges two more times, pushing the woman back as she tries to swim to the pool's edge.
The audience can be heard breathing out after the trainer managed to pull herself out of the water.
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She is visibly shaken and doubles over on her knees, as a nother trainer tries to speak to her and ensure she is okay.
Photographer Shannon Carpenter, who took the footage, told : You could tell she was in some type of pain.
“The kids were cheering and thinking this was neat. You could tell the adults knew something was wrong.”
The trainer was reportedly taken to an area hospital after being rushed there via ambulance.
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Dolphins in the wild will often fight sharks by ramming them with their strong snouts - targeting their underbellies and gills.
IN a statement, the Seaquarium claimed that the dolphin and trainer “accidentally collided in the water on Saturday while performing a routine behaviour as part of the Flipper show.”
They added: “This was an uncomfortable interaction for both of them and the dolphin reacted by breaking away from the routine and striking the trainer.
“As a precaution, Miami-Dade County safety authorities were contacted.
“Our family extends to include the animals in our care, our team members and our guests. While there is no apparent serious injury, a careful watch and follow-up evaluations will ensure the best care for all.”
The incident is the latest in a string of problems at Seaquarium, which was accused of numerous animal welfare violations.
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Animal welfare group PETA said: “Time is up at Miami Seaquarium, where long-suffering dolphins desperately need protecting and workers are at risk,' the group wrote.
“PETA urges this abusement [sic] park to end its exploitation of dolphins by getting them into sanctuaries as quickly as possible, where they'd never be used in tawdry shows again and no-one else will get hurt.”
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