Venice's Beloved Dolphin Faces Peril in Crowded Waters
A bottlenose dolphin captivating visitors to Venice now faces a serious threat from the very tourist boats that flock to see it. The dolphin, affectionately nicknamed Mimmo, has become an unlikely resident of the city's famed St Mark's Basin since first being spotted by a water taxi driver in June 2025.
While his acrobatic dives and fish-catching prowess have delighted tourists and made him a regular feature in holiday photos, local residents and experts are growing increasingly concerned for his safety. The core of the issue lies in the dolphin's chosen home: a part of the Venetian lagoon that is heavily congested with boat traffic.
Campaign for Safety and Expert Concerns
Worried that Mimmo could be killed, residents have launched a campaign on Facebook, warning he is in "serious danger" due to the considerable usual traffic, now exacerbated by additional boats specifically coming to see him. Campaigner Cristina Romieri announced a flash mob scheduled for Saturday morning to raise awareness and push for the dolphin's relocation to a safer habitat.
Expert opinion adds weight to these concerns. Luca Mizzan, head of Venice’s Natural History Museum, spent a day monitoring Mimmo and reported perplexing behaviour. "The dolphin curiously approaches boats when it can see people on deck," Mizzan told The Times, noting the mammal's confidence. "However, it’s dangerous; all it needs is one boat reversing suddenly, while the noise from engines must create total confusion underwater."
Further insight comes from Ca' Foscari Ecology Professor Fabio Pranovi, who suggested to Corriere del Veneto that the dolphin's stay might be motivated by easy access to food rather than contentment. "It seems that in order to easily find food, dolphins follow boats, putting up with the noise, which is very annoying to them," he explained, also questioning why the typically social animal is alone.
Official Monitoring and Public Cooperation
In response to the situation, authorities are taking action. The Cetacean Strandings Emergency Response Team (CERT) and the Coast Guard are actively monitoring Mimmo. A spokesperson for CERT confirmed that a team from the University of Padova is assessing the dolphin's health and welfare.
The spokesperson stated, "The animal is in good nutritional condition, and its behaviour is typical for the species." They emphasised that while bottlenose dolphins are common in Veneto waters and accustomed to human-influenced environments, a code of conduct has been shared with the public to prevent disturbance. The authorities are relying on collaboration from experts, authorities, and citizens who report daily sightings to ensure the safety of this temporary lagoon resident.
