Overview
- Researchers tracked Mimmo, a lone bottlenose dolphin in the Venice lagoon, from June through December 2025 and published their findings in Frontiers in Ethology.
- Mimmo appears well adapted to the lagoon, regularly feeding on mullet and displaying behavior typical for his species.
- The study identifies human activity as the main threat, citing poorly controlled boats, excessive speeds and intrusive approaches that can injure or stress the animal.
- Repeated visits to the heavily trafficked San Marco basin pose particular danger due to dense traffic, propellers and constant disturbance.
- Acoustic attempts to drive the dolphin back to the open sea failed, and experts deem capture or relocation too risky, so they urge firm enforcement of speed, distance and no-feeding or touching rules.