Rare sighting of dolphins off Portugal's coast as water quality improves
Aden-Jay Wood
Europe;Portugal

Translating...

Content is automatically generated by Microsoft Azure Translator Text API. CGTN is not responsible for any of the translations.

Error loading player: No playable sources found
00:55

 

Lucky citizens of Portugal's capital, Lisbon have been fortunate enough to catch a rare sighting of dolphins off its shores as they came out of COVID-19 lockdown.

Although dolphins have been previously seen in Lisbon's Tagus river, they are no longer seen very often, according to a report by the Sea School and the Marine Science Association in Lisbon.

The dolphins have been seen in groups or 'pods' leaping out of the water, looking like they were thoroughly enjoying themselves. 

 

Groups or 'pods' of dolphins have been spotted off the coast of Lisbon, Portugal. /Reuters

Groups or 'pods' of dolphins have been spotted off the coast of Lisbon, Portugal. /Reuters

It is not known why dolphins have returned to the Tagus, but Lisbon's mayor's office believes it is to do with the drop in water pollution in recent months. 

"With the improvement in water quality, the river has been gaining new life and a friendly family of dolphins has been seen several times during the last month," the mayor's office wrote on Facebook.

Water pollution has dropped across Europe since the lockdown began, with many areas reporting an increase in wildlife. 

Marine biologist, Francisco Martinho, who specialises in dolphins, believes the increase in fish in the area to eat is the reason dolphins have returned. 

Video editing: Pedro Duarte

Source(s): Reuters
MORE FROM CGTN
{"type":2,"value":"Evangelo Sipsas in Athens","commentator":[],"valueShow":true,"commentatorShow":false}

Europe

17:30, 23-Jul-2025

Gaza: Children starve to death, aid groups protest as staff go hungry
{"type":2,"value":"CGTN","commentator":[],"valueShow":true,"commentatorShow":false}

Europe

15:31, 23-Jul-2025

{"type":2,"value":"Johannes Pleschberger in Vienna","commentator":[],"valueShow":true,"commentatorShow":false}

Europe

12:21, 23-Jul-2025

{"type":2,"value":"H.E. Fei Shengchao","commentator":[],"valueShow":true,"commentatorShow":false}

Europe

12:20, 23-Jul-2025

TOP NEWS
Chinese vice premier to travel to Sweden for China-U.S. trade talks
{"type":2,"value":"CGTN","commentator":[],"valueShow":true,"commentatorShow":false}

Politics

08:46, 23-Jul-2025

{"type":2,"value":"CGTN","commentator":[],"valueShow":true,"commentatorShow":false}

China

02:13, 23-Jul-2025

China rejects U.S. accusations on South China Sea at UN debate
{"type":2,"value":"CGTN","commentator":[],"valueShow":true,"commentatorShow":false}

Politics

02:13, 23-Jul-2025