As the COVID-19 pandemic has taken its toll on the nation, nature in Italy has stolen headlines around the globe. Its clear waters and its return of dolphins and swans caught the attention of the public. 

Even though Italy’s waters might be favorable, the rumors of returned wildlife might not be. 

For a while now, social media has been directing its attention to the return of dolphins and swans in Italy’s waters. People proceed to use the expression ”Nature hits the reset button on us,” to caption their images of Italy’s wildlife and visible waters.

Newspaper companies like National Geographic, The Hill, ABC News, Snopes, and Global News have all had an intake on this unbelievable find. 

“The phenomenon highlights how quickly eye-popping, too-good-to-be-true rumors can spread in times of crisis. People are compelled to share posts that make them emotional,” said National Geographic in their article, “Fake animal news abounds on social media as coronavirus upends life.”

Even though National Geographic alleged the rumors to be unreal, ABC News had a varied perspective.

”However, the transparent water isn’t so much a sign of better water quality as it is the result of the lack of boat traffic, which typically kicks sediment to the surface, Pierpaolo Campostrini, the managing director for the Consortium for Managing Scientific Research on Venice Lagoon System, told ABC News via email,” said ABC News’ article “Venice canals are clear enough to see fish as coronavirus halts tourism in the city.” 

Though there are diverse opinions on the recent and common sightings of dolphins and swans in Italy’s canals, it seems that the primary reason is the shortage of boats. 

Overall, COVID-19 has brought beautiful, clear waters to Italy and has unearthed secrets on what lies beneath the murky waters.