A rare and unexpected sighting has been reported of what appears to be a dolphin or a porpoise swimming in the River Usk in Newport.

This unusual occurrence has captured the attention of local residents and wildlife enthusiasts alike. The River Usk is known for its diverse wildlife, including salmon, trout, otters, and various bird species, but sightings of dolphins or any mammals are exceedingly rare – especially in Newport city centre. Never miss a Newport story by subscribing to our newsletter here.

The animal was captured by a local dog-walker, walking on the cycle track between Shaftesbury and Caerleon, and has been shared to social media where locals say the animal had been spotted by many as it made its way down the river.

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While Welsh waters are home to many fascinating creatures seeing dolphins and porpoises is an incredibly rare and special experience.

Until this sighting the last known sighting of a porpoise or dolphin in Newport dates back to 2017. This particular mammal has been seen multiple times by locals this month.

These marine mammals can more typically be spotted along the coast, in places such as the Gower or Pembrokeshire, but it requires a bit of luck and the right conditions to catch a glimpse of these elusive creatures.

While bottlenose dolphins are the most common species in the UK they are most often associated with warmer, coastal waters which makes it all the more unusual for one to have potentially been spotted in the River Usk.

Dolphins are more likely to enter the mouths of rivers, where saltwater and freshwater mix, in search of food. In these areas the water conditions are less extreme and more similar to the ocean environment.

While there are places like Cardigan Bay where dolphins are frequently spotted it’s exceedingly rare for them to venture far up the River Usk or other inland rivers. Dolphins are generally ocean-dwelling creatures and tend to avoid the freshwater of inland rivers unless conditions are exceptional.

Like dolphins porpoises are predominantly marine animals but they have been known to venture into brackish water at times.