Two Dolphins Swim-up Venice Canal In Exceptionally Rare Sighting

The mother and her juvenile bottlenose dolphins were spotted hunting cuttlefish off the shores of Punta Della Dogana on Monday, just a few hundred yards from popular tourist attraction St Mark's Square.

Police placed a cordon around the area to prevent the public from approaching too closely, whilst the local coastguard advised people to keep their distance.

Credit: CERT di Universita de Padova

Luca Bizzan, head of Venice's Natural History Museum, told The Times: "This is very unusual - they were encouraged to venture this far into the city by the calm waters in Venice right now.

"They were probably drawn to the city by the number of cuttlefish - a lot this year - that enter the lagoon at this time to lay eggs."

Credit: CERT di Universita de Padova

The two dolphins were most likely drawn into the canal due to a lack of visitors, cruise ships, and motorboats that are typically seen in the area - the waters are now calmer than usual due to the pandemic.

Sandro Mazzariol, a researcher at the University of Padua, said: "It's the first time we see a mother and juvenile off St Mark's Square."

After being 'disoriented' by the commotion, officials spent three hours shepherding the animals back to the open sea.

Credit: Twitter

The sighting was described as "exceptional" by the local coastguard, who cautioned residents not to disturb the dolphins if they returned.

A statement said: "In case of further sightings in the lagoon, we would ask everyone to exercise the greatest caution, not to disturb the cetaceans and to report their presence to the coast guard.

"The dolphins did not appear to be in difficulty and after a few minutes left the area, reappearing a little later just inside the Grand Canal."

Credit: SplashNews.com

Last year, Italy became the first country in the world to introduce a nationwide coronavirus lockdown.

Locals in Venice posted images and videos on social media at the time, demonstrating how quiet their city had become and confirming multiple wildlife sightings.

The Venice mayor's office explained that the changes weren't actually down to improved water quality, with a spokesperson telling CNN last March: "The water now looks clearer because there is less traffic on the canals, allowing the sediment to stay at the bottom.

"It's because there is less boat traffic that usually brings sediment to the top of the water's surface."

The spokesperson added: "The air, however, is less polluted since there are fewer vaporetti and boat traffic than usual because of the restricted movement of residents."