A mayor on France's north-west coast has prohibited swimming and diving on local beaches amid concerns about a bottlenose dolphin that has been seeking close contact with bathers. The animal, nicknamed Zafar, has spent weeks entertaining children near the Breton city of Brest, but officials now worry about the risks it poses.
The 3m (10ft) dolphin initially delighted water sports enthusiasts in Brest harbour, but has since moved south to the village of Landévennec, which has a population of 300. The mayor of Landévennec said the ban was issued to protect people's security. According to the Le Telegramme website, Zafar has not been aggressive but has rubbed against boats and swimmers, even in shallow waters.
Last month, a swimmer had to be rescued by boat after the dolphin blocked her return to shore. A kayaker reported that the dolphin leapt over his head, and a Spanish holidaymaker complained after being confronted by the animal, which was described as anxious to interact. The situation escalated last week when the dolphin tossed a young woman bather into the air with its nose.
The mayor has ordered that swimming and diving be banned wherever the dolphin's presence is confirmed, and that people stay at least 50m away from it. A specialist at a Brest aquarium warned that the dolphin could unintentionally cause harm with its tail fin. However, Breton lawyer Erwan Le Cornec criticised the restrictions as excessive, noting that there have been no recorded accidents involving dolphins in Finistère.
