Based on many observations I thought in Dolphin Address 3 to have some insight in Dusty’s anger explosions. It seemed to be worth a try-out to give my Belgian friends the green light. Both have a respectful attitude and broad experience with swimming with dolphins and since Doolin 3 years ago Dusty has not threatened swimmers out in the water anymore as far as I know.
Friday we were on Inisheer and Dusty came to the pier around two. Graig was already in the water and was romping robustly with Dusty. Amandine joined in and Dusty behaved exemplary, shared her attention between both and it was lovely to see how playful and carefree she was gliding through the clear water.
Photo Amandine van Cauwenberghe
Then suddenly and without any apparent cause she began splashing water towards Amandine by opening and closing her jaws. It was very low tide and the water was almost a meter below the pier steps, so Amandine could not come out on her own, but she reacted very calm. Dusty began whipping her tail and I told Amandine she’d better come out and reached out my hand. Dusty came in close and gave Amadine a gentle nudge. She kept very composed, took my hand and suddenly there was another hand from a tree of a guy and we pulled her out.
Dusty at first looked satisfied with Amandine’s exit, but a minute later acted as if she was sorry about her embarrassing behaviour. Several times she lifted her head slightly out of the water and nestled it back in modesty, as if she made herself smaller. Amandine stayed on the steps for a while and then went back into the water from the shoreline. Craig joined her and they swam back to the slipway, holding hands. Dusty doddled along peacefully, but when Amandine went out Dusty bitched her again. Right after that her friend, Romano, went into the water and swam out with Craig and Dusty, direction buoys. It was too far to follow, but later I heard that Dusty had also threatened Romano.
I’m positive Dusty has shown me a few times that she was not happy with me not being in the water. One I have documented with photos in Dolphin Address 2011. editie 9. Her being disappointed of Amandine leaving the water now may not appear very likely to human logic, but her attention span is very different from ours, so I would not want to exclude that. Moreover I did not witness this myself.
Likewise for Amandine’s friend Romano’s experience. After she went out, he went in and joined Craig. They swam out to the buoys and Dusty became bitchy to him as well. I was only happy nobody got hurt, but it was pretty scary. I strongly feel nobody is to blame and have seen off close how supportive Craig acted. But I was reminded again that it’s not a good idea to introduce a new swimmer in the presence of an old friend of hers, be it in or out of the water. Craig and me, in differing respects, may very well have prompted her anger, taking it out at Amandine. I have only seen her bother people out swimming before, as early as 2002, Keith’s girlfriend, in 2011, my friend in 2011 and when she had returned to Fanore. with Kate and 2 friends.
Dusty has made several new friends since the Doolin incidents, three years ago and I think that is good for her. Isolation would only frustrate her more. But as the recent events demonstrate, this should be done with utmost care, thought through in the light of previous experiences. It’s clear to me that I should keep out of her sight during new introductions and preferably no one else should be in the water.
Until 2013 we have known Dusty to be pretty relaxed, always swimming with half-closed eyes. After that her eye behaviour has drastically changed, she is far more alert ever since. I cannot pinpoint it in time or particular event, but chasing her away from Doolin with a cattle prod to prevent her from obstructing the construction of the new pier, has done massive damage to her trusting nature. That was a cheap and cruel solution that haunts the dolphin up to this day. One can’t help but wonder if it’s lack of expertise from the IWDG or just plain apathy. And as long as politicians are more concerned with covering their responsibilities instead of seeking advice from the loving care and expertise from the people who know her on a nearly daily experience, the regular swimmers, we can not expect relief from officials. Every flare-up of Dusty will spawn new dopey resentment.
Just again to show you the essential Dusty, here are a few of my latest videos.
Jane plays with Dusty and the torch