Researchers monitoring solitary bottlenose dolphin in Venice say its survival depends on management of people
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Usually, bottlenose dolphins live in small to medium-sized groups. However, every once-in-a-while, a dolphin may leave its pod behind and approach human settlements. While such a scenario is a relatively rare occurrence, cases of dolphins entering coastal or urban areas are well documented.
When a bottlenose dolphin nicknamed Mimmo was first spotted in Venice last summer, local researchers jumped into action. Now, the team has published an article detailing monitoring activities and the dolphin’s movements across several months.
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Movement of the solitary bottlenose dolphin started as soon as it was first sighted in the Venetian Lagoon in June 2025. Scientists observed it from boats every week after, with support from authorities and citizens. Over a few months, the dolphin moved from the southern end of the lagoon towards Venice at the northern end of the lagoon, where it is still present today.
‘Observing bottlenose dolphins in urban areas is not particularly surprising, as they are extremely adaptable and opportunistic marine mammals,’ said senior author Dr Guido Pietroluongo. ‘Mimmo appears healthy and is regularly observed feeding on mullets. Since his arrival in the lagoon, any behaviour displayed has been typical of the species.’
More worrying than the presence of the dolphin in the lagoon is its stay in the San Marco Basin, right in front of San Marco Square – the city’s busiest and most popular tourist area. Staying this close to a tourist hotspot comes with risks such as harm caused by boat propellers, although researchers point out these threats would also exist in the open water where dolphins usually reside.
Ultimately, the biggest threat to Mimmo lies in human actions, particularly through irresponsible driving of boats.
‘This situation is primarily about managing human behavior rather than managing the dolphin,’ said first author of the study Dr Giovanni Bearzi, who has been studying Adriatic dolphins for four decades, pointed out.
‘Recognising the priority of safeguarding a protected species, treating it as a wild animal, and behaving in an informed, aware, and responsible way is key in wildlife management.’
Effective measures to safeguard both the dolphin and people include a ban on harmful interactions and strictly enforcing existing regulations – under which any disturbance of a wild, protected animal is legally prohibited. This includes attempts to touch or feed the dolphin.
Such measures are vital as early attempts to drive the dolphin back into the open sea using acoustic deterrents proved unsuccessful and aren’t advisable. Capturing the dolphin to displace it, on the other hand, would be bad practice which harbors more risks than opportunities.
‘What is truly unusual is not the dolphin’s presence, but the persistent difficulty humans have in respecting such animals today,’ said Bearzi.
‘We need to appreciate the opportunities to coexist with and enjoy wildlife. Historical and contemporary documentation clearly shows that dolphins have accompanied human maritime activities for millennia, yet we still struggle to coexist with them appropriately.’
The history of ‘lone dolphins’
The reasons why solitary – or ‘lone’ dolphins – occur can vary and are not always clear.
While these encounters may seem exciting to humans, they often mask a deeper issue and can have tragic outcome for these vulnerable animals. One such example is that of Reggie, a lone bottlenose dolphin spotted in Lyme Bay in 2025, as well as Fungie – a resident in Dingle Harbour on Ireland’s southwest coast from 1983 until his passing in October 2020.
These dolphins are believed to have been separated from their pods due to natural causes such as illness, injury, or displacement. Typically, they tend to avoid human contact and maintain wild behaviours. However, in some cases, they can begin to display rough interactions such as biting, butting and tail-slapping – not with the intention of harming humans, but simply because they are unaware of their strength and capability compared to humans.
If you encounter a solitary dolphin in the wild, keep a distance of at least 100 metres and avoid chasing, touching or feeding it. Do not enter the water, and report any concerning behaviour to marine authorities.
