Venice is full of tourist attractions, but for a few days, a dolphin has captured the attention of those who visit the city after being seen on multiple occasions in the lagoon of the monumental Italian city.
The animal is a bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncated) and has been named Mimmo. Far from fearing the noise and traffic of boats or gondolas, it has even been seen swimming near the St. Mark’s Squareone of the most photographed places on the planet.
Given the growing interest of locals and tourism companies, the authorities and diverse animal groups they have launched the campaign Save the Dolphin to ask that Mimmo be moved to a safer environment.
The dolphin had already been detected in the area at one of the entrances to the Venetian lagoon last July. The scientists They emphasize that the presence of dolphins in Venetian waters is not so exceptional, since it is a species that adapts well to shallow waters.
Experts consider that what is surprising is that the dolphin stayed in such a busy area, swimming between boats or approaching the busiest areas of the city.
Las authorities locals have asked keep at least 50 meters away with the animal to the gondolas and to the vaporettoswater buses that travel through the city’s canals.
The Coast Guard is tracking the animal and has asked the public to report sightings in points other than where it is already seen, such as San Marcos, Giudecca or Lido Island.
In addition to the photos and videos of touristssome people have thrown objects or they have chased him with their boats to record him more closely. Mimmo has become a celebrity and social networks have been filled with loving posts and messages about him. hashtag #HiMimmo.
Some companies have offered tours to go out into the waters to get closer to the animal, something that has awakened indignation of numerous groups.
The promoter of the Save the Dolphin campaign, Cristina Romierirecalled that an animal “is not a tourist attraction” and has asked that Mimmo be moved to a “healthier habitat.”
The Cert, an emergency team for marine animals linked to the University of Padua, is monitoring the animal together with the Coast Guard so that return to the open sea in the best conditions and as soon as possible.