A photographer has captured images of rare sea life flourishing in Venice's canals during lockdown - including a large jelly fish.
With the city empty of traffic pollution and tourists, zoologist and photographer Andrea Mangoni, 45, from Venice, decided to turn his lens to the city's underwater inhabitants.
What he discovered was breathtaking.
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Filming from both out of the water and underwater, Andrea was able to spy jellyfish, sea sponges, little fish and even scuttling crabs, all thriving in the now crystal-clear waters of the city.
This is David Attenborough-worthy stuff, Andrea.
The snap-happy zoologist said: "Since the start of quarantine there have been a lot less boats and ferries creating traffic and the water in the canals has begun to clear up.
"The result is that the canals have become more transparent and you can see through them, both from outside and from underwater.
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He added: "The animals you see now have always been here, the difference is that now they're easier to spot."
The news follows Tyla's report last month of a wide variety of wildlife returning to Venice's once-polluted waterways.
Real estate agent and life-long Venetian Marco Capovilla, 40, filmed several schools of tiny fish swimming in clean waters which were previously muddy and filled with debris.
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Marco commented that he "had never seen" such clear water in his home city, and added that it was a "striking" view.
Marco said: "During these days, traffic in Venice has become almost absent.
"The city doesn't have sewers, so normally everything goes into the canals, including detergents and cosmetics.
"Thanks to the quarantine, we are experiencing a cleaner environment."
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In challenging times, stories of returning wildlife are well worth celebrating.
Featured Image Credit: UnsplashTopics: Environment, lockdown, News, Wildlife
