Main image via Twitter
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected practically every corner of the world, and while everyone is doing as much as they can to stop the spread of the virus, unfortunately it’s not enough.
Advertisement
Countries are being put on lockdown, nationwide quarantines have been instilled and we in Malaysia are currently on day three of the Movement Control Order.
Italy has recently overtaken China with the highest amounts of deaths in the world, with the death count at 3,405. If you didn’t know already, Italy is currently on full lockdown.
Italy’s lockdown has brought one good thing for not just the nation but also, the earth.
According to recent reports, due to the public being on lockdown, Venice’s waters are now so clear that the dolphins have returned!
Locals have reported that residents and tourists alike are no longer crowding the streets and canals - which includes water transports like gondolas and speedboats; allowing for nature to work its magic on the waters.
“The water in the city’s canals has become much clearer, with small fish visible swimming around,” CNN reported.
Besides dolphins, even swans and ducks have made their appearances in canals and ports!
Here's an unexpected side effect of the pandemic - the water's flowing through the canals of Venice is clear for the first time in forever. The fish are visible, the swans returned. pic.twitter.com/2egMGhJs7f
— Kaveri 🇮🇳 (@ikaveri) March 16, 2020
Due to the massive amounts of tourism every year in Venice, it has been a while since locals have since wildlife appear around their homes.
While dolphins may be a rare sight in the Venetian Lagoon, there have been reports of dolphin sightings in other parts of Italy, most often in the Sardinian city of Cagliari.
Dolphins swimming in Venice's canals is the news we all needed to see today 🥺 pic.twitter.com/6x2scm5bXA
— sinead ♡s BTS ⁷ 💜💜💜 (@BANGWOOL_PD) March 18, 2020
However, things may not be as clean as it seems said a spokesman from the Venice mayor’s office to CNN.
“The water now looks clearer because there is less traffic on the canals, allowing the sediment to stay at the bottom,” the spokesman said. “It’s because there is less boat traffic that usually brings sediment to the top of the water’s surface.”
But the spokesman also noted that while Venice’s water pollution may not have decreased like we thought, the air quality has improved.
The coronavirus pandemic has had an unexpected side effect in Venice—where the normally cloudy canals have transformed into water crystal clear enough to see fish swimming below. https://t.co/qrr8iphSPd pic.twitter.com/37H7iiB09Y
— ABC News (@ABC) March 18, 2020
All over the world, people are amazed and in love with the clear canals that have brought back the swans, fish and dolphins!
Venice hasn't seen clear canal water in a very long time. Dolphins showing up too. Nature just hit the reset button on us pic.twitter.com/RzqOq8ftCj
— Gianluca De Santis (@b8taFPS) March 17, 2020
Meanwhile in Venice (Burano's island), the swans appear in the canal. Animals wander more freely without the crowd pic.twitter.com/UtorZCD41d
— 🧚🏼 Zee🧚🏼 (@zahyadib) March 20, 2020
😳 😳 😳 #venice
— Aurel Boriçi (@AurelBoriciBT) March 18, 2020
An unexpected side effect of the pandemic: 💧Water's flowing through the canals of Venice is clear for the first time in forever.
🐟 🦢 The fish are visible, the swans returned pic.twitter.com/crWf4kdZ1M
Thought I’d spread abit of positivity for you guys. Since the lockdown of Venice without the pollution from boats the water has been begun to clear up and a dolphin has been spotted in the canal for the first time in nearly 60 years! #venice pic.twitter.com/dbq4mGhfnp
— Jack (@NotLacazette) March 17, 2020
Levels of nitrogen dioxide pollution fell drastically in parts of Italy — a direct result of the country closing due to #COVID19 . Venetians say the water hasn't been this clear in 60 years. Air quality and pollution continues to clear. Some refreshing positive news for your TL🌎 pic.twitter.com/PxOAFV8ajd
— 바 네 사 🌙 (@finessabae) March 17, 2020
You can see the bottom of the Venice canals for the first time in years, and the dolphins came back 😍🥰 pic.twitter.com/QmLHXw3Gxi
— weebcore (RadioKid) (@RadioKid_7) March 20, 2020
A silver lining during this time of fear and uncertainty. 🐬🧡 https://t.co/urCTQQLjXe
— julie marie cappiello Ⓥ (@jmcappiello) March 19, 2020
The takeaway shouldn't be that humans are the problem. There are still humans. It's just that humanity isn't doing any of the carbon- and pollution-intensive activities right now that create the problems. That should be our takeaway. https://t.co/Er0RC2YznQ
— Doug Gordon (@BrooklynSpoke) March 19, 2020
Since lockdown:
— 𝘬𝘦𝘭𝘴𝘦𝘦 (@kxlsee) March 19, 2020
• Venice canal water has become clear
• Italy coasts have dolphins coming nearer
• Japan has deer roaming the streets
• Thailand, the same with monkeys
• China has record breaking pollution cuts
The Earth is healing.
Plot twist: We were the virus all along.
Italy has witnessed something that they haven't seen in years: Dolphins & Swans in the canals of Venice and stark, clear waters!💧Nature is hitting the reset button on us.🌼 #beautyeverywhere pic.twitter.com/tv0aBPnA6e
— Beautymark Solutions Inc. (@beautymarkworld) March 19, 2020
Boars in the middle of my hometown, dolphins in the port of Cagliari, ducks in the fountains in Rome, Venice canals have now clean water full of fishes. Air pollution dropped. Nature is reclaiming its spaces during quarantine in Italy. #COVID19 #COVIDー19 pic.twitter.com/dr6QILfF9V
— Francesco Delrio (@Cosodelirante) March 15, 2020
Dolphins and swans living their best life in Venice as water quality improves during lockdown.https://t.co/88jCSfdr17 pic.twitter.com/2CF08UEora
— Anna Mazzola (@Anna_Mazz) March 18, 2020
I think the Venice dolphin is such a light in the dark! Just shows how quick nature can recover if we leave it alone especially in marine systems. #ProperMPAs https://t.co/L4AimL8TLy
— Martin Attrill (@mjattrill) March 18, 2020
This! Have you seen the smog lifted in China?? The dolphins are back in Venice?!? The world is telling us we aren’t as great as we think we are... in such a short time we can change things. Of course, it took a pandemic for some of us to see it... 🌎 #savetheplanet pic.twitter.com/HxWFZ8doMc
— Erin (@vegan_erin) March 19, 2020
The earth always knows how to find a balance. Less vehicles, less pollution, Side effect of the pandemic. Venice is clear for the first time in forever. The fish are visible, the swans returned. Even dolphins are reappeared in italy. #CoronavirusPandemic pic.twitter.com/bG2VdQHTM1
— AFSHAN 👑 (@QueenAfshan) March 18, 2020
One thing that gives me hope is how quickly mother nature is responding/recovering. Water clear in Venice canals and swans back. Dolphins on coasts. More birds around with less cars. Huge drop in pollution. Big lesson for us all. We can save our planet if we act NOW.
— Sarah Parcak (@indyfromspace) March 17, 2020
With so much bleak news going around, we hope that this sliver of good news will help to spread some positive vibes around!
But remember to do your part in battling this pandemic by staying at home and not putting yourself or the ones you love at risk of this virus.
Be sure to keep yourself safe and healthy, wash your hands, sanitise, wear a mask if needed, practice social distancing and don’t go out unless it’s absolutely necessary!
Together we can #FlattenTheCurve!
Stay updated with the latest COVID-19 news here: https://en.syok.my/covid-19
