Humans in Venice lagoon need managing, not Mimmo the dolphin, say scientists

Researchers from the University of Padova report that a solitary bottlenose nicknamed Mimmo has adapted to the Venice lagoon, but they say human behaviour and boat traffic pose the greatest risks and need tighter control.

Italian researchers have been monitoring a solitary bottlenose dolphin known as Mimmo after it first appeared in the Venice lagoon in June 2025. The team from the University of Padova documented the animal's movements and behaviour over several months and published their findings in Frontiers in Ethology. Observers report Mimmo appears healthy and has been seen feeding and moving within the lagoon. Scientists emphasise that the main concern is how people behave around the dolphin, not the animal itself. Key facts: - Mimmo was first sighted by water-taxi driver Manuel Tiffi on 23 June 2025 and has been reported by residents and boat operators since then. - Researchers conducted weekly boat-based observations and tracked Mimmo's movement from the southern to the northern part of the Venetian lagoon, where it remains present. - The study, led by Guido Pietroluongo at the University of Padova and published in Frontiers in Ethology, describes the dolphin's adaptation to the urban lagoon environment. - Scientists report Mimmo appears healthy and regularly feeds on mullets according to their observations. - The authors identify inappropriate human behaviour, especially risky boat operations and propeller strikes, as the main threats and note that measures to control speed and keep boats at a distance were recommended. Summary: The study highlights that a solitary bottlenose has adapted to city waters but that human actions create the greatest welfare risks. Undetermined at this time.