Eight-year-old becomes web hit after dolphin bites her at SeaWorld

http://news.nationalpost.com/2012/12/03/it-really-really-hurt-seaworld-dolphin-bites-8-year-old-girl-at-feeding-time/




An 8-year-old Georgia girl says it “really, really hurt” when a dolphin snatched her hand in its mouth while she fed the animal as part of an attraction at SeaWorld in Orlando, Fla.

Jillian Thomas of Alpharetta said she raised the paper carton she was holding, and “when the dolphin saw that, it leaped at me and bit me, ate the carton.”

“It really, really hurt,” Jillian said in an interview Monday with ABC’s “Good Morning America.”

Jillian suffered three puncture wounds to her hand. Her father Jamie Thomas, who was with her at the theme park when the dolphin lunged from its pool Nov. 21, described his reaction as: “Instant fear.”

After his initial thought that he might have to dive into the tank to rescue his daughter, a SeaWorld employee offered to help.

“They asked if she wanted first aid, and I said ’she’s bleeding’ so yes, we want first aid,” he recalled.

Jillian held two dolphin stuffed animals as she recounted the ordeal, saying she hoped the dolphin didn’t get sick from eating the paper carton. She’s prayed for the animal at night, she said.

The paper cartons are used to hold fish that children and others feed the dolphins. Jillian’s parents say park-goers may not realize the risk involved in feeding dolphins, which is why they posted video of the Nov. 21 bite to YouTube, so parents can decide for themselves whether it is safe.

SeaWorld officials said in a statement that the safety of their guests is paramount, and they are taking the situation seriously.

“Educators and animal care staff are always on-site at this area, monitoring all interactions and are committed to guest safety,” SeaWorld said in the statement.

“Educators and animal care staff were at the attraction when this happened and immediately connected with the family,” SeaWorld said. “In addition, a member of our health services team was in the area at Dolphin Cove and quickly responded and treated the young girl.”

I feel bad for the little girl because I can imagine how badly that had to have hurt. The dolphin was intentionally trying to bite the child.

The puncture wounds look painful but I honestly didn't see it as the dolphin intentionally biting the child. The dolphin was biting at food and her hand just happened to be in the way. I think that is wrong because all of the dolphins looked like they were on a feeding frenzy. I wonder when they get their main meals and if this is considered mealtime? If that is the case then I think that Seaworld should be held accountable.

In my previous post I meant to say "that it wasn't intentional". The dolphin was reaching for the cardboard container that contained the fish, the little girl's hand happened to be hanging on to the container. It's like when a dog is learning to play tug of war or fetch, and their mouth / teeth accidentally make contact with your hand in an attempt to grab for the tug item or the fetch toy.

Yahoo news had the article titled as an attack, which was not the case at all. National Post (the link I posted) had it titled as a bite.

I heard on a TV show that the children were told NOT to pick up the cardboard container that had the fish.
It just seems to me if you take wild animals and put them in an "artificial" environment and allow little kids to feed them by hand...your asking for an accident.
I hope the little girl is ok but she didn't listen to the dolphin trainer.
Don't pick up the container containing the fish.
The parents apparently said that that wasn't written anywhere.
Ummm, he told your daughter directly.

Jersey, I never read that in the news articles but I can see the employees saying that and parents not making their children listen.

Similar to the wild dog attack a few months ago...parents need to supervise and pay attention!