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Dolphin Dave hurt
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Kent's tame dolphin, nicknamed Dave, has suffered a serious tail injury following what is likely to have been contact with a boat's propeller.
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Such an injury had been feared because of the public interest in Dave who, despite the name, is actually a female.
The injury was first observed on Sunday morning, in the form of a chunk missing from the trailing edge of one half of her tail fluke. Marine vets are worried that severe infection and/or septicaemia will now set in.
'Volunteers from BDMLR [British Divers Marine Life Rescue] are going to keep a very close watch on Dave?s behaviour over the next few days to see if she deteriorates in condition,' said the organisation's spokesman Tony Woodley,
Mark Simmonds, Director of Science at the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society, said that the accident had occurred 'despite all the warnings that have been issued not to feed or otherwise try to tame Dave'.
He hoped that the wounding would not lead Dave down the same path as two other tame dolphins, which eventually lost their lives off British coasts last year.
Margaux Dodds, Director and Co-founder of Marine Connection, implored people to stay well clear of the dolphin, which had to be in 'more than some pain and discomfort', while marine experts observed the creature from a safe distance and monitored her energy levels and general behaviour. 'We are extremely concerned for her future welfare,' said Dodds.
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