Dolphin seen near St Mark's Square inspires Venetian rescue effort

"Activists in Venice are campaigning to save a dolphin spotted in the lagoon over fears growing tourist interest could put its life at risk. Known as Mimmo, the bottlenose dolphin made its latest appearance in St Mark's basin, the body of water in front of the square of the same name, on Wednesday. The dolphin has been entertaining tourists and residents with its acrobatic leaps, but animal and environmental activists fear it could be killed by the propellers of boats that crisscross the busy lagoon."

"Mimmo was first seen by Manuel Tiffi, a water-taxi driver, on 23 June. He told Corriere della Sera in October that the dolphin often swam right in front of the bow. Tiffi said taxi drivers reported sightings in order to warn people to be careful. But the animal seems to have no fear, he added. Others, however, have been less cautious, with some allegedly throwing balls at Mimmo or chasing the animal in their boats."

"This animal is not a tourist attraction, it is a wild animal that needs to be brought to a healthier environment, said Cristina Romieri, who began the Save the dolphin' campaign. Romieri says that while a dolphin can survive in the lagoon, St Mark's basin is another matter because it is where water taxis, steamers and everything else pass. Experts at Cert, an emergency response team for stranded marine animals affiliated with the University of Padova, and coastguard personnel have been monitoring the dolphin."

Activists are campaigning to save Mimmo, a bottlenose dolphin repeatedly seen in Venice's lagoon and St Mark's basin. The dolphin has been sighted since 23 June and has performed acrobatic leaps that attract tourists and residents. Some boaters and visitors have pursued or harassed Mimmo, including alleged ball-throwing, chasing in boats and organised selfie tours. Cristina Romieri launched a Save the dolphin campaign arguing the animal needs a healthier environment away from heavy water traffic. Experts at Cert and coastguard personnel are monitoring Mimmo and advising skippers to keep at least 50 metres to help guide it back to open sea.

Read at www.theguardian.com