In what amounts to a big win for New York aquatic environment and a beacon of hope for conservationists around the world, someone has sighted dolphins in Bronx river - the first time in more than five years.
The New York City Parks and Recreation posted a video on Twitter, taken by someone who saw the dolphins.
It’s true—dolphins were spotted in the Bronx River this week! This is great news—it shows that the decades-long effort to restore the river as a healthy habitat is working. We believe these dolphins naturally found their way to the river in search of fish.
— NYC Parks (@NYCParks) January 19, 2023
(Video: Nick Banco) pic.twitter.com/40ZNgBjJZs
Bronx River Alliance, a non-profit that works to protect and restore the waterway, also confirmed the rare sightings.
“There seems to be more dolphin pods swimming near NY Harbor!” it wrote on social media. “We are not sure why but authorities are further investigating their presence and we will keep you updated as we get more info.”
Though the animals were last spotted in the river in 2017, it is believed that they were drawn there by the plentiful supply of fish stocked by authorities in recent times.
Per the New York City Parks and Recreation, dolphins hate disturbances, “make sure that they're comfortable during their visit by giving them space and not disturbing them”.
The Bronx River flows through Bronx borough, just north of Manhattan, and is the only freshwater river in the city.
Dolphins are regarded as one of the most intelligent animals on the planet. They are used in locating underwater mines and identifying enemy personnel by the US military.
Habitat destruction and pollution has led to a drop in their numbers making them to be protected throughout the United States under the Marine Mammal Protection Act.
It is therefore illegal to feed or harass dolphins in the United States.
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