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-45663165

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Thames whale: Watch for Benny the beluga continues Thames whale: Watch for Benny the beluga continues
(about 4 hours later)
Conservationists are on standby for further sightings of a beluga whale seen "swimming strongly and feeding normally" in the River Thames.Conservationists are on standby for further sightings of a beluga whale seen "swimming strongly and feeding normally" in the River Thames.
The whale, nicknamed Benny, was first spotted in the Thames estuary near Gravesend, Kent, on Tuesday.The whale, nicknamed Benny, was first spotted in the Thames estuary near Gravesend, Kent, on Tuesday.
Shipping companies have been urged to keep clear of the area.Shipping companies have been urged to keep clear of the area.
British Divers Marine Life Rescue said a team had assessed the whale, which is thousands of miles away from its Arctic habitat, and raised no concerns.British Divers Marine Life Rescue said a team had assessed the whale, which is thousands of miles away from its Arctic habitat, and raised no concerns.
The conservation charity said it would respond to any further sightings, but did not have enough volunteers to monitor the whale 24 hours a day.The conservation charity said it would respond to any further sightings, but did not have enough volunteers to monitor the whale 24 hours a day.
Julia Cable, national co-ordinator, said: "It's possible that it lost its way after a navigational error, that it has taken a wrong turn."Julia Cable, national co-ordinator, said: "It's possible that it lost its way after a navigational error, that it has taken a wrong turn."
Beluga whales can grow up to 20ft in length and are usually at home in the icy waters around Greenland, Svalbard or the Barents Sea.Beluga whales can grow up to 20ft in length and are usually at home in the icy waters around Greenland, Svalbard or the Barents Sea.
The RSPCA's Clare Dew told the BBC on Wednesday: "It appears to be feeding normally - it is not attempting to come anywhere near the banks and it is staying in the deep channel in the middle of the river."The RSPCA's Clare Dew told the BBC on Wednesday: "It appears to be feeding normally - it is not attempting to come anywhere near the banks and it is staying in the deep channel in the middle of the river."
Rescue teams have been on standby in case the animal gets into danger.Rescue teams have been on standby in case the animal gets into danger.
Lucy Babey, head of science and conservation at Orca, a marine conservation charity, said: "This is the most southerly recording of a beluga in the UK.Lucy Babey, head of science and conservation at Orca, a marine conservation charity, said: "This is the most southerly recording of a beluga in the UK.
"These animals can navigate in shallow coastal water so hopefully it will swim away.""These animals can navigate in shallow coastal water so hopefully it will swim away."
She said any noise in the water could impair its sophisticated sonar navigation system.She said any noise in the water could impair its sophisticated sonar navigation system.
You may also be interested in:
Beluga whales were last spotted in the UK three years ago off the coast of Northumberland and Northern Ireland, but sightings were "extremely rare", the British Divers Marine Life Rescue 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", the British Divers Marine Life Rescue said.
In 2006, an 18ft (5m) northern bottle-nosed whale died after becoming stranded in the Thames.In 2006, an 18ft (5m) northern bottle-nosed whale died after becoming stranded in the Thames.
What is a beluga whale?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.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. A beluga can change the shape of its "melon" by blowing air around its sinuses, according to the WWF.They range from 13ft (3.9m) to 20ft (6.1m) in length and have distinctive rounded foreheads. A beluga can change the shape of its "melon" by blowing air around its sinuses, according to the WWF.
Belugas are commonly found in coastal waters of the Arctic Ocean around Alaska, Russia, Canada, and Greenland. but are also at home in large rivers. They can move between salt and fresh water.Belugas are commonly found in coastal waters of the Arctic Ocean around Alaska, Russia, Canada, and Greenland. but are also at home in large rivers. They can move between salt and fresh water.
The beluga can swim backwards and can move their heads up, down and side-to-side, unlike other whales. They do not have a dorsal fin to help preserve body heat.The beluga can swim backwards and can move their heads up, down and side-to-side, unlike other whales. They do not have a dorsal fin to help preserve body heat.
Calves are born dark grey and it can take up to eight years before they turn completely white.Calves are born dark grey and it can take up to eight years before they turn completely white.
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, giving them the nickname of "sea canaries".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, giving them the nickname of "sea canaries".