Fears are growing that a serious accident may happen at Doolin, Co Clare, where increasing numbers of people are entering a dangerous bathing area to swim with a wild bottlenose dolphin.
Unlike Fungi, the Dingle dolphin, the young female dolphin in Doolin has not yet been named. But people are treating her affectionately, using names such as Ewe, Orb, Dolly, Misty and Dusty, after Dusty Springfield; local people say the late singer's ashes were scattered at the nearby Cliffs of Moher last year.
Local people managed to keep the dolphin's presence a secret for more than a year, but word has spread this summer and visitors have been attracted to this remote and dangerous part of the north Clare coastline, about 200 yards from the place where eight people were drowned 17 years ago during the Lisdoonvarna music festival.
Fears have been heightened not only by the unsafe waters but by the possibility of the dolphin panicking if surrounded by swimmers and boats in a confined area. Dr Simon Berrow, a marine biologist and project manager of the Shannon Dolphin and Wildlife Foundation, said there were documented cases of dolphins attacking humans, especially when they feel threatened, and that they can kill with powerful butting movements.
"They are big, powerful animals. There is a potential risk there," he said.
The Doolin dolphin has not displayed any aggressive behaviour, but as numbers going into the water increase and as people get more confident in approaching her, she may, like any wild animal, react aggressively.
Ms Christina Lockyer of the British Sea Mammal Research Unit, who carried out a survey of solitary dolphins interacting with humans, notes that "dolphins must be approached with caution and are never totally predictable".
Dr Berrow is helping to organise a meeting with representatives from the county council, Duchas - the heritage service - and interested local people in an attempt to manage the situation before it gets out of control.
A spokesman for the National Parks and Wildlife Section of Duchas said the main concern was for the welfare of the dolphin, which is a protected species under the Wildlife Act.
"Please do not swim with, manhandle, or otherwise interfere with this truly wild species of animal," asks a sign erected by the National Parks and Wildlife Section of Duchas, warning that over-familiarisation with the dolphin is detrimental to its long-term welfare - but to no avail. Adults and children have touched the dolphin at every opportunity. Visitors attempt to ride on her back and even hug her.
The Shannon foundation has drawn up a code of conduct for managing the school of dolphins which resides at the mouth of the Shannon Estuary, and Dr Berrow believes local people would be the best managers of the Doolin situation.
"What the local community, in collaboration with the authorities, needs to do is to draw up a plan and if the dolphin is there next spring, to implement that plan," he said.
Dr Berrow added that continued contact with humans is reinforcing her "aberrant behaviour" and may prevent her rejoining a school of dolphins: "There is a long-term welfare consequence."
Mr Liam Griffin, Clare County Council's water safety officer, has grown concerned at the numbers going into the area, known locally as "The Jump", in all weather conditions. They have ignored the warnings posted at Doolin Pier by lifeguards who have travelled to the dolphin-viewing spot daily to warn of the dangerous conditions.
Swells can make the waters dangerous very quickly. There are dangerous currents immediately outside the inlet, where swimmers in wetsuits follow the dolphin, particularly at low tide. The council has erected a "Bathing Unsafe" sign and is monitoring the situation.
A resident in the area, Mr Leslie Flynn, was one of a number of locals who spoke of their concern in a letter sent to authorities and conservation groups.
"Most of the time when I go down there, there are too many people in the water at any one time," he said. "People do not realise how dangerous the currents are in that area."
Doolin Coastguard is also monitoring the situation. Mr Mattie Shannon, the area officer, says the steep incline leading to the narrow inlet is treacherous in wet conditions.
"I am sure there are people there who are very strong swimmers. The point is, I have to take everybody into account. I know there are a lot of people in there who should not be in there," Mr Griffin said.