BENNY the Beluga whale has been spotted again in the River Thames for a third consecutive day – but seems to be moving towards London rather than to open sea.
The pearl-white mammal’s hump could be seen rising to the surface close to a jetty near Gravesend, Kent just after 10.30am this morning.
The rare sea mammal arched its body clear every couple of minutes to whoops of delight from onlookers, who had gathered on the banks to catch a glimpse of the now-world famous Beluga – nicknamed Benny.
The whale had moved several hundred metres up river towards London from where it was spotted throughout Wednesday.
Experts last night expressed relief as the whale appeared to be swimming east down the Thames, back out to sea, but it has now taken an about-turn and is heading for the capital.
Onlookers remain on the shore of the river to catch a glimpse of the elusive creature.
After it disappeared for around 15 hours overnight, Benny was spotted again yesterday morning in the same area, a relief to conservationists.
Yesterday RSPCA spokeswoman Clare Dew said: “We don’t have any concerns about the whale itself at the moment, and it is certainly still behaving normally.
“It is not attempting to come anywhere near the banks and is staying in the deep channel in the middle of the river.”
Sightings were confirmed again this morning, but further up the Thames towards London than yesterday.
It has been popping to the surface, visible due to its ghostly white colour, every couple of minutes.
A patrol boat is monitoring its movements.
Conservationists are now concerned that the Beluga whale could be “very lost” if it doesn’t return to the sea.
There are also concerns the Beluga might eat a plastic bag, due to the large numbers of them in the Thames, according to Tanya Ferry, environment manager at the Port of London Authority.
SAT-NAV GAFFE
By Chris Packham, TV wildlife expert
THIS Beluga whale has got lost and its sat-nav is broken.
They rely on using a natural “sonar” to get around — sending a series of clicks through the water which bounce back to them.
This system can be damaged. It may have been too close to sonar used in submarines, acoustic deterrents used to keep seals away from salmon farms or sonar used in the fishing industry.
Damage could also occur naturally, in the same way humans can suffer a stroke. The other thing which could cause the whale to get lost is becoming separated from other Belugas.
The Thames is not the place for a Beluga whale.
It will not be able to find all the food it needs.
They are very blubbery and can store lots of energy, but it will still be hungry.
RSPCA’s Acting Chief Inspector Clair Dew said they would be keeping a close watch on the whale’s progress, but there were no plans to mount a rescue mission or encourage it out to sea.
She said: “If it is not injured we have no intention of rescuing it.
“Because there have been recent hurricanes and flooding it’s food has washed a long distance.
“It is not yet a fully grown adult. For it to get here it has swam a long way.
“Because of the mouth Thames it is potentially dangerous because of boats. It is amazing it came through there. The noise and reverberation underwater can be unbelievable.
“It is an endangered species. We have to protect it somewhat but it is a wild animal.”
After first seeing the whale on Tuesday morning, Andrews tweeted: “Can’t believe I’m writing this, no joke – BELUGA in the Thames off Coalhouse Fort”.
He claimed the whale remained in the same spot for hours feeding around the barges in the river.
Marine experts told the BBC it is “almost certainly” a Beluga whale and urged the public “to watch it from the shore”.
Lucy Babey from ORCA said: “This is the most southerly sighting of a beluga we have ever seen around these shores.”
Belugas can weigh up to 1,400kg and measure more than four metres long.
Sightings of Beluga whales are extremely rare on the coasts of the UK and normally only occur off the coast of Scotland, as this is closest to their native waters.
Beluga whales usually travel in groups or ‘pods’ and a sighting of a solo whale could indicate it has got lost, or is disorientated.
After Andrews tweeted the exact location, there was an influx of people arriving at the scene to view the whale for themselves.
The whale is used to much colder seas north of the UK
FIVE THINGS YOU DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT BELUGA WHALES
- Belugas can weigh up to 1,400kg
- They measure more than four metres long
- Belugas usually travel in ‘pods’ and are sociable animals
- They are found in Arctic and sub-Arctic waters and are sometimes seen off the coast of Scotland
- They are all white as an adaptation to life in Arctic water
Lucy from ORCA told The Sun: “We want to urge people not to disturb the animal. It’s out of range and probably distressed.
“People rushing to the site in boats or with drones will only disturb the whale and cause it more distress.
“If you wish to see the whale for yourself, stay on the shore and do not get in the water.”
Local resident Andrew Wildman, 63, came down to the Thames hoping to catch a glimpse of the whale.
He said: “I was amazed. It is not the sort of thing you see every day. I come here most days
“You might spot a seal but I have never seen anything else.
“But it’s very sad because it should not be here. Who knows how long it can last?”
The last time a whale was spotted in the River Thames was a bottlenose whale, now known as the River Thames Whale.
In January 2006 a female northern bottlenose whale swam up the Thames and caused hysteria in London.
She sadly died during a rescue mission near Battersea.
A spokesperson for Whale and Dolphin Conservation said: “Belugas are High Arctic species and this one is thousands of miles from where it should be! Belugas are usually associated close to the ice in places like Greenland, Svalbard or the Barents Sea.
A crowd gathered on Tuesday afternoon to catch a sighting of the Beluga whale
“He or she is obviously very lost and quite possibly in trouble. There are a few reports of belugas in the UK in recent years.
“In the summer of 2015 two were spotted off the Northumberland coast and one in Northern Ireland. We would urge that the whale is given space and disturbance is kept to a minimum.”
MOST READ IN NEWS
British Divers Marine Life Rescue posted on Facebook: “We have received further reports this morning, with regards to the beluga whale in the Thames.
“A BDMLR representative is on scene at the moment to confirm this sighting. We will continue to monitor the animal throughout the day and liaise with the relevant authorities. Please report any sightings to 01825 765546.”
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https://textbacklinkexchanges.com/benny-the-thames-beluga-whale-heading-for-london-after-being-spotted-upriver-three-days-since-first-sighting/
News Pictures Benny the Thames Beluga whale ‘heading for London’ after being spotted upriver three days since first sighting
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