Dolphin bites tourist, further damaging reputation

Already, residents have suggested capturing Beggar and moving the dolphin, almost 10 years old, away from a populated area. Conservationists, in turn, have responded by calling for the waterway to be closed to swimmers. Both demands are humorous to Wells. While the researcher described the call to close area beaches as "ridiculous," he said the idea of making Beggar adjust to life away from the Intracoastal Waterway in Nokomis was even crazier. "Why should he have to [leave]? That's his home," Wells said.

Meanwhile, the incident raises new questions about the nature of dolphins, animals once thought to be friendly and calm. Recent studies and an article in The New York Times cited repeated instances of dolphin violence against humans, and Spradlin said he feared that news of this most recent attack would further damage the animals' reputation. Neither Spradlin nor Wells could offer a solution to this scenario, though both vowed to increase their efforts to educate the community about the dangers of taunting wild animals.

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