Swans & Dolphins Return To Italy, As Air, Water Quality Improves During Lockdown

The increasing number of coronavirus cases in Italy has brought the entire country to a standstill. According to the Live Tracking Dashboard, there are 27,980 confirmed cases as of now and 2,158 people have succumbed to the infection. However, a total of 2,749 people have also recovered from the illness.

Since people are socially distancing themselves to avoid the virus from spreading, a lot of them are also losing business with every passing minute. There’s panic and tension all around. However, there is a piece of good news that’s become the silver lining at this time of misery.

Venice, one of Italy’s biggest tourist attractions, sees a lot of visitors throughout the year. However, ever since the country was put under lockdown, the streets are deserted and there is very less boat traffic on the city’s canals where people often enjoy the gondola rides. But surprisingly, the lockdown has helped in clearing the city’s canals. As reported By CNN, the locals have noticed a huge difference in the clarity of the water. The air quality has improved in the city.

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The Venice mayor’s spokesperson said, “The water now looks clearer because there is less traffic on the canals, allowing the sediment to stay at the bottom. It’s because there is less boat traffic that usually brings sediment to the top of the water’s surface.”

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Water has become so clear across Italy that fishes can be seen and even the swans and dolphins have returned. Twitter users pointed out that improved water quality across Italy has brought dolphins to the Port of Cagliari and ducks in the fountains of Rome. Furthermore, schools of fish can be seen in Venetian canals. 

La natura si riprende I suoi spazi #venice #life #fish #canal #clearwater #nature #urbanwildlife #resilience pic.twitter.com/jsPDW3I7Lx

— Venezia Pulita / Clean Venice (@VeneziaPulita) March 10, 2020

The spokesperson further added,

“The air, however, is less polluted since there are less vaporetti and boat traffic than usual because of the restricted movement of residents.”

Satellite images also show a significant drop in pollution level in Italy during the coronavirus quarantine. According to the European Space Agency (ESA), nitrogen dioxide emissions have significantly decreased over Italy following the lockdown caused by the spread of COVID-19, reported Mail Online.

They also released a time-lapse video showing the noticeable change in the environment:

While several pictures were posted showcasing the clean country, many highlighted how humans are responsible for ruining it in the first place:

Proves only one thing: humans are bad for this planet 😌

— Anupam Bordoloi (@asomputra) March 17, 2020

This is how the world resets itself. This is how the world should be and look without humans maligning it.

— RED (@dewanizm) March 16, 2020

Nature showing us humans who the boss is!!

— Nothing doing Rockstar ✨️✨️✨️✨️ (@cut_d_joke) March 17, 2020

Oh damn, this is really something! Been there, so the contrast is really stark.

— Gaurav Sabnis 🇮🇳🇺🇸 (@gauravsabnis) March 16, 2020

It's good to see nature recovering so fast from humans

— MASCHINE – ECB money printing conaisseur ⚙️📉 (@tuliparbitrage) March 17, 2020

We were always the most dangerous virus, sapiens.

— Atma Nirbhar Human (@unitedCADM) March 16, 2020

Although the pandemic has brought only depressing news from across the world, this piece of news is indeed a relief. However, it also highlights how the absence of humans is making the world beautiful. Such a shame!

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