Footage has surfaced on social media showing the moment a dolphin attacked its trainer during a show at the Miami Seaquarium.
As reported by the New York Post, a marine trainer had to be taken to hospital after a dolphin by the name of Sundance "broke away from routine" during a live show and started ramming the worker.
Footage of the incident was captured by audience member and photographer Shannon Carpenter.
Carpenter later said, per the New York Post: "One trainer that was furthest away from the video either kept getting hit by the dolphin or pulled down by the dolphin."
He added: "The kids were cheering and thinking this was neat... You could tell the adults knew something was wrong."
CBS News reports that the scary incident occurred last Saturday during the park's Flipper Dolphin Show. Following Seaquarium's investigation into the show, officials learned that the trainer accidentally scratched Sundance with her hand, causing the dolphin to start ramming her.
After the trainer was able to make it out of the water, she was taken by ambulance to a local hospital, but did not suffer any serious injuries.
It happened Saturday in front of a crowd during a performance of the Flipper Dolphin Show. A cell phone video shows the trainer struggling to stay afloat as the dolphin, Sundance, dragged her underwater and then pushed her forward.
Per Local10 News Miami Seaquarium released the following statement regarding the incident: "A dolphin and trainer accidentally collided in the water on Saturday while performing a routine behavior as part of the Flipper Show.
"This was an uncomfortable interaction for both of them and the dolphin reacted by breaking away from the routine and striking the trainer.
"As a precaution, Miami-Dade County safety authorities were contacted. Our family extends to include the animals in our care, our team members and our guests. While there is no apparent serious injury, a careful watch and follow-up evaluations will ensure the best care for all."
However, PETA has slammed the park following the distressing occurrence. In a statement, the animal welfare group said that "time is up at Miami Seaquarium", and accused the park of housing "long-suffering dolphins" and employing workers who are "at risk".
"PETA urges this abusement park to end its exploitation of dolphins by getting them into sanctuaries as quickly as possible, where they’d never be used in tawdry shows again and no-one else will get hurt," PETA officials added.
Insider reports that this incident comes after Miami Seaquarium was cited for numerous animal welfare violations in a 17-page report by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) in June, 2021.
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