Beloved Bottlenose Dolphin Mimmo Faces Peril from Selfie-Seeking Tourists

As of 2025-11-10T13:45:17+00:00, a bottlenose dolphin known as Mimmo has been making regular appearances in the waters of Venice's St. Mark's basin, entertaining both tourists and residents with its acrobatic displays. However, this newfound fame has raised concerns among animal and environmental activists, who fear that the dolphin's life may be in danger due to the growing interest and interference from visitors.

Mimmo was first spotted by a water-taxi driver named Manuel Tiffi back in June 2025. Tiffi reported that the dolphin often swam "right in front of the bow" of his boat, and he and other taxi drivers have been trying to warn people to be cautious around the animal. Sadly, not everyone has heeded these warnings, with some individuals allegedly throwing balls at Mimmo or chasing the dolphin in their own boats. Additionally, there have been reports of organized "selfie tours" targeting the dolphin.

Experts from the University of Padova's emergency response team, CERT, and the coastguard have been closely monitoring Mimmo's movements and are working to assist in guiding the dolphin back to the open sea, where it would be safer. They emphasize that while dolphins can generally survive in the lagoon, the busy St. Mark's basin poses a significant risk due to the high volume of water taxis, steamers, and other vessels that constantly crisscross the area.

Cristina Romieri, who has launched the "Save the Dolphin" campaign, argues that Mimmo is not a tourist attraction but a wild animal that needs to be protected and returned to a healthier environment. The activists' concerns are understandable, as the propellers of the boats in the lagoon could pose a serious threat to the dolphin's life.