After 5 years, miraculous discovery in the Bronx River of New York

In the absence of snow, nature has given New York City another big news: the dolphins have returned naturally and in the dead of winter, in what appears to be an ecological miracle. The dolphins were discovered in the Bronx River near Starlight Park, which is just south of the Bronx Zoo, the Bronx River Alliance reported.

“It’s true: Dolphins have been sighted in the Bronx River this week! This is great news – it shows that the decade-long effort to restore the river as a healthy habitat is working. We believe these dolphins naturally found their way into the river in search of fish,” the New York Parks Department commented, uploading a video of the sighted marine mammals.

“We invite you to welcome these dolphins to Boogie Down! Make sure they are comfortable during your visit by giving them space and not disturbing them,” NYC Parks added on Twitter.

Dolphins are generally not seen within New York City limits, experts say, let alone in the river near Starlight Park. “This is very indicative of the improvement in water quality in the Bronx River,” said Adriana Caminero, parks department ranger.

According to Caminero, the efforts made since the 1970s, when Congress passed the Clean Water Act, are paying off. Also “we see seals, which is another sign of the improvement in water quality here.”

Howard Rosenbaum, director of the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Ocean Giants Program and scientist at the New York Aquarium, explained that these dolphins appear to visit the city they entered the river system from the ocean and seemed comfortable swimming. “I don’t see any signs of suffering for these animals right now. But we want to keep an eye on it,” Fox News quoted.

In the early spring of 2021, a few dolphins were seen swimming in the East River off Brooklyn. Parks Department officials warn residents that if they see these highly intelligent and friendly animals swimming, Give them space and don’t disturb them.

In what has been called a “miracle” of aquatic ecology, scientists have seen a resurgence in marine mammal activity and presence around New York and New Jersey over the past decade, with reports of humpback whales, dolphins and even seals.