The astonishment is all there, but also a lot of concern for its survival because the beluga, the marine mammal sighted in the Thames in London, is lost and is not used to such low latitudes being an arctic animal. According to experts, he also lost his bearings due to climate change, that's why.
The astonishment is all there, but also a lot of concern for its survival because the beluga, the marine mammal sighted in the Thames in London, is lost and is not used to such low latitudes being an arctic animal. According to experts, he also lost his bearings due to climate change, that's why.
It was renamed Benny, the whale specimen first spotted by Dave Andrews the ecologist and ornithologist who then relaunched the video on his Twitter account.
“I can't believe what I'm writing, it's no joke, there's a BELUGA in the Thames off Coalhouse Fort,” the man said.
"He is definitely lost," said Julia Cable, national coordinator of British Divers Marine Life Rescue, announcing that underwater rescuers have been sent to the area to try to approach the animal and check its health.
The beluga is an arctic animal, but according to the latest sightings it is now not far from the river estuary, near Gravesend, in the county of Kent (southern England).
Can’t believe I’m writing this, no joke – BELUGA in the Thames off Coalhouse Fort @RareBirdAlertUK pic.twitter.com/6VtrJ1PVc6
- Dave Andrews (@iPterodroma) September 25, 2018
According to Lucy Babey, head of the association for the protection of orca animals, this is the "southernmost sighting of a beluga ever recorded in the United Kingdom".
In fact, this whale lives in Greeneland, but it can also swim below the coast, so it is hoped that it will be able to get out of the river and return to the sea. According to the first hypotheses, Benny may have lost his bearings while in search of food, between the melting of the ice due to global warming and the lack of food, the animals are forced to travel many kilometers to feed themselves.
Still here and showing well #BELUGA pic.twitter.com/uGqz3XabdP
- Dave Andrews (@iPterodroma) September 25, 2018
The fact is that between plastic, passing ships and city noises, the Thames is not the right place for this poor beluga who is nevertheless fine and we hope that she will soon be able to return home!
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Dominella Trunfio
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