Dolphins spotted in Bronx River for first time in 5 years, NYC Parks says

Dolphins were spotted swimming through the Bronx River for the first time in half a decade, according to the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation (NYC Parks). "From everything that we have gathered, the last known case of dolphins in the Bronx River was in 2017," Deputy Director of Urban Park Rangers for NYC Parks Marc Sanchez said. The porpoises were recorded by Nick Banko and posted to Instagram on Jan. 16. Dan Kastanis from NYC Parks said that there were at least two dolphins spotted in the video but it's possible there might have been more. Sanchez said the appearance of dolphins is an indicator that conservation efforts to restore the Bronx River to its "natural beauty" have been successful. The department, as well as other local groups like the Bronx River Alliance, regularly restock the river with alewife — part of the herring family — and other species of fish. The fish attract animals like the dolphins that like to eat them, according to Sanchez. "If the river is able to sustain those fish, then it's going to bring other animals that eat those types of fish," Sanchez said. "In this case, that's the most likely scenario [why] the dolphins came, because of the presence of all the fish that they like to eat." It's important for residents who see marine mammals to not disturb them because it poses a safety risk for both the animals and residents, according to Sanchez. "The point we just want to drive home is that everyone makes sure that they are safe and that the animals are safe. People should be very happy that these animals you wouldn't normally get to see are making their presence known and they find it within themselves to get involved with parks restoration to care for where these animals live," Sanchez said. Sanchez said dolphins were also spotted in Newtown Creek, part of NYC's East River, later that week. In August 2022, kayakers near Manhattan saw three dolphins swimming and in June 2022, dolphins were also spotted south of Darien in the Long Island Sound. "As these animals are able to make their presence known, it fosters a sense of stewardship or responsibility for us as New Yorkers to care for our waters," Sanchez said. "The more these animals show themselves, the more we have to see that these animals do live in our waters and it's important to take care of them."

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