Flipping painful! Shocking moment dolphin sinks its teeth into six-year-old boy’s hand at aquarium after mistaking it for food
- Boy held his hand out over the pool at the Nemo Dolphinarium in Ukraine
- Dolphin then emerged from the water and sank its teeth into the child’s hand
- Child needed several stitches but trainer said the dolphin was not aggressive
Shocking footage has captured the moment a dolphin sank its teeth into a six-year-old boy’s hand after mistaking it for food.
The unidentified child was bitten by the dolphin in Odessa, Ukraine, on Sunday after he held his hand over a pool at the Nemo Dolphinarium.
As he stands with his arm outstretched, video captures the dolphin as it leaps out of the water and bites down on the six-year-old boy’s hand.
The boy, who was attempting to touch the mammal, was rushed to hospital with deep cuts and was given several stitches.
The unidentified child was bitten by the dolphin in Odessa, Ukraine, on Sunday after he held his hand over a pool at the Nemo Dolphinarium
According to the dolphin’s trainer, the animal was not hungry or aggressive.
Officials added the incident took place after visitors were warned not to approach the edge of the pool or put their hands in the water.
The footage, filmed by the boy’s mother, captures the child as he holds his palm above a pool in the Nemo Dolphinarium on Sunday.
Moments later, a dolphin jumps out of the water and sinks its teeth into the visitor’s outstretched hand.
The terrified boy shouts in pain as the mammal lets go of his limb.
As he stands with his arm outstretched, the dolphin leaps out of the water and bites down on the six-year-old boy’s hand
The boy, who was attempting to pet the mammal, was rushed to hospital with deep cuts and was given several stitches
Olena Komogorova, the Dolphinarium’s head trainer, said: ‘A hand, stretched above the water, means that somebody offers a treat.’
The boy’s mother said her son held his hand above the water trying to stroke the dolphin.
Speaking with local media, the woman reportedly blamed herself for what happened and said she would not sue the aquarium.
The Dolphinarium administration is planning to strengthen its security measures following the incident, say local media.
Olena Komogorova (above), the Dolphinarium’s head trainer, said: ‘A hand, stretched above the water, means that somebody offers a treat’