Dolphin spotted swimming in River Thames
Follows the death of the 'Thames Whale' in west London in 2006
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A small dolphin was spotted swimming along the River Thames in the centre of London for what is thought to be only the third time in nine years.
The marine mammal spent around two hours bobbing above and below the surface close to the Palace of Westminster on Sunday.
Charlotte McGlinchey, director at Thames RIB Experience, said: “Our staff were at Embankment Pier when they saw the fin of the dolphin, but when a boat came near it, it wouldn’t come up.
“This is probably the third time we’ve had this in nine years.
“I think they are quite shy creatures anyway which is why they disappear and obviously we are quite a way up from the estuary. We just hope he gets back out there.”
In a more high profile incident, a northern bottlenose whale – dubbed the Thames Whale – was found swimming near the Albert Bridge by Battersea Park in 2006.
The whale died before it could reach the mouth of the Thames and its skeleton is on display in the Natural History Museum.
Bottlenose dolphins live in every ocean but for the Arctic and Antarctic.
In 2013, the King Seaways Ferry, which runs between Amsterdam and Newcastle, recorded an unprecedented 699 sightings inside five months, which is more than its passengers had seen in any previous year.
The Atlantic spotted dolphin lives in more tropical and temperate areas of the Atlantic such as towards the Caribbean Sea.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments