This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-45642590

The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Beluga whale spotted in the Thames off Gravesend 'Beluga whale' spotted in the Thames off Gravesend
(35 minutes later)
A Beluga whale has been seen in the River Thames in Kent, marine life rescuers have said. A whale, believed to be a beluga, has been seen in the River Thames, marine life rescuers have said.
It was first spotted by ecologist and ornithologist Dave Andrews, who said it had been feeding around barges near Gravesend. It was first spotted by ecologist and ornithologist Dave Andrews, who said it had been feeding around barges near Gravesend in Kent.
The British Divers Marine Life Rescue said it seemed to be "swimming strongly". The Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society said it was "obviously very lost and quite possibly in trouble".
Spokeswoman Julia Cable urged the public not to get too close to the whale and "to watch it from the shore". The British Divers Marine Life Rescue urged the public not to get too close and "to watch it from the shore".
A Beluga whale was last spotted in the UK three years ago off the coast of Northumberland, and sightings were "extremely rare", she said. Beluga whales were last spotted in the UK three years ago off the coast of Northumberland and Northern Ireland, but sightings were "extremely rare", spokeswoman Julia Cable said.
She added hopefully it would swim back out to sea, and not travel the other way up the Thames. She added the animal was "swimming strongly" and it would hopefully swim back out to sea, and not travel the other way up the Thames.
In 2006 an 18ft (5m) northern bottle-nosed whale died after becoming stranded in the river. Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society spokesman Danny Groves said as the whales were high Arctic species, "this one is thousands of miles from where it should be".
"We would urge that the whale is given space and disturbance is kept to a minimum," he said.
In 2006 an 18ft (5m) northern bottle-nosed whale died after becoming stranded in the Thames.
The RSPCA said it was aware of reports of a whale in the Thames.The RSPCA said it was aware of reports of a whale in the Thames.
"We are working with other agencies to monitor the situation and ready to provide appropriate assistance if requested," it said."We are working with other agencies to monitor the situation and ready to provide appropriate assistance if requested," it said.
The Beluga whale, or white whale, can grow up to 5.5m (18ft) long and weigh up to 1,600kg (3,530lb). They are normally found in the Arctic. Richard Sabin, principal curator of mammals at the Natural History Museum, said photos and videos he had seen appeared to show a beluga whale.
"The white body colour, absence of a prominent dorsal fin, bulbous forehead and general swimming motion all suggest this very strongly," he said.
"The beluga is an Arctic/sub-Arctic species, so is a long way outside its usual range of distribution."
What is a beluga whale?
Belugas, also known as white whales, are "one of the most familiar and easily distinguishable" of all whales, according to National Geographic.
They range from 13ft (3.9m) to 20ft (6.1m) in length and have distinctive rounded foreheads.
Belugas are commonly found in coastal waters of the Arctic Ocean, but are also at home in large rivers. They can move between salt and fresh water.
They are common to Alaska, Russia, Canada, and Greenland..
The whales were nicknamed "canaries of the sea" by early whalers due to their squeaks and squawks.
Beluga calls variously resemble a cork being prized from a bottle or a creaking door, along with sounds described as clicks, squeaks, chirps, bleats, moans, groans, and whistles.