Dolphins Spotted Swimming In Bronx River: Video

NEW YORK CITY — Dolphins made a big splash this week in an unexpected New York City waterway: the Bronx River.

Video shot Monday shows at least two dolphins swim and frolic in the water outside Starlight Park, the Bronx River Alliance first tweeted.

The peaceful pod of dolphins grabbed the attention of New York City's parks department, which spread the video even further.

"This is great news—it shows that the decades-long effort to restore the river as a healthy habitat is working," NYC Parks tweeted.

"We believe these dolphins naturally found their way to the river in search of fish."

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.
(Video: Nick Banco) pic.twitter.com/40ZNgBjJZs
— NYC Parks (@NYCParks) January 19, 2023

Dolphin sightings in New York City's waterways are rare, but have occurred fairly often in recent years.

Three dolphins were spotted in March 2021 swimming in the East River near Greenpoint.

Experts say the city's rivers are much cleaner than their less-than-sparkling-clean reputation, thanks in large part to local cleanup efforts.

The cleaner water appears to be attracting more wildlife, as the parks department tweet states.

And wildlife means dolphins.

"There seems to be more dolphin pods swimming near NY Harbor!" the Bronx Alliance tweeted.