Dolphin intentionally harpooned in Croatia.

August 26^th, 2013 (Nicola Hodgins). During regular surveys, researchers from Blue World (a Croatian ngo) were shocked and saddened to encounter a bottlenose dolphin with a spear gun harpoon sticking out of its back. The dolphin is known to them as Bojan, first sighted back in 2004 and resighted 55 times since then.

Croatia is one of the few countries in the world that have taken the step of banning dolphinariums and their own wild population of bottlenose dolphins are protected by law (intentionally injuring one brings heavy fines) but unfortunately this is the not the first time that this behaviour has been reported. In recent years, a dolphin was harpooned and killed in a similar way, probably while bow riding.

Anyone with any information (on either who is responsible or sightings of Bojan) is asked to contact Blue World staff via phone (051 604666), fax (051 604668) or e-mail (info@plavi-svijet.org) so that they can respond and hopefully help Bojan in time.

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