Warning over contact with dolphin

Marra was moved from the harbour in a major rescue operation

People are being warned again not to get too close to a dolphin which has become a regular sight along the Cumbrian coast.

At the beginning of the year the rescue of Marra from Maryport harbour made him into a tourist attraction.

Since then he has been spotted a number of times along the stretch of coast.

British Divers Marine Life Rescue is warning against people getting into the water with the dolphin for the sake of their safety and Marra's.

Propeller damage

The group's Cumbria co-ordinator Jenny Watkins said: "It's not that we want to be spoilsports but people seem to forget this is a wild animal.

"He's loving the attention but the dangers are that he will get injured or injure someone.

"We would encourage people to watch him but if they leave him alone he will get fed up and go back out to sea."

She said the main concerns were that the dolphin could hurt someone or that diseases could be passed between the mammal and anyone touching him.

There is also the fear about him becoming too dependant on humans and being damaged by boat propellers.