Jellyfish filmed swimming through Venice's now-crystal clear waterways

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails

Sign up to our free breaking news emails

Please enter a valid email address

Please enter a valid email address

SIGN UP

I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice

The incredible flora and fauna of the Venetian canals have been caught on video as the lack of boats on the waterways leaves the water to clear and natural life to thrive.

The Italian city world-renowned for its canals has been in lockdown since early March, having been among the first regions in Europe to have been impacted by the Covid-19 coronavirus.

However, with a lack of activity on the waterways, lower emissions and less pollution, zoologist Andrea Mangoni has captured some of the nature thriving in the region's canals - including a barrell jellyfish gliding gracefully through the waters.

Writing on Instagram, he said: "Thanks to the exceptional calm of the canals of Venice due to the absence of boats, this jellyfish (Rhizostoma pulmo) swam in the transparent waters near the baretteri bridge, and seemed to slip through the reflection of the buildings, incredibly motionless."

It comes as people share stories about the natural world's response to international lockdown measures imposed during the Covid-19 outbreak.

Last month one viral video showed dolphins that had purportedly ventured into the venetian canals - footage that was later debunked.

However, in a bizarre infraction from the animal kingdom, residents of Llandudno saw their Welsh town overrun by a tribe of mountain goats.

Wild boars, while occasionally spotted around the Catalan city of Barcelona, have also been appearing in greater number during the outbreak.