Venice, Italy – A solitary bottlenose dolphin, nicknamed Mimmo, has captured attention in the Venetian Lagoon since it was first spotted in June 2025. Researchers have been monitoring the dolphin’s movements and behavior, noting its remarkable adaptation to an urban environment.

“Mimmo appears healthy and is regularly observed feeding on mullets. Since his arrival in the lagoon, any behavior displayed has been typical of the species,” said Dr Guido Pietroluongo, a conservation veterinary pathologist at the University of Padova.

While bottlenose dolphins are naturally adaptable and have historically inhabited the Adriatic Sea, staying close to the bustling San Marco Basin exposes Mimmo to significant risks. The greatest threats come from humans, particularly through unsafe boating and close approaches. “This situation is primarily about managing human behavior rather than managing the dolphin,” said Dr Giovanni Bearzi, who has studied Adriatic dolphins for four decades.

Experts stress that safeguarding the dolphin requires enforcing existing regulations that prohibit disturbing protected wildlife, including attempts to touch or feed it. Early attempts to drive Mimmo back into open waters using acoustic deterrents proved unsuccessful, and capturing the dolphin would pose further risks.

“What is truly unusual is not the dolphin’s presence, but the persistent difficulty humans have in respecting such animals today,” Bearzi concluded. The case highlights the importance of coexistence and responsible human behavior in shared habitats.

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