Thames whale - as it happened: Beluga 'Benny' heads further upstream towards London as fears increase

Beluga whale spotted in River Thames

A beluga whale has found itself in the Thames, dangerously close to London.

Members of the public have been asked to stay away as experts attempt to keep the sea mammal safe.

But conservationists fear that the animal might have got itself into danger after it has swum so far upstream. It is the first sighting of one of the animals – which tend to live in the Arctic – in years.

The whale spent its second day being watched by the public. As it drew to a close, conservationists will be hoping that second day will be the last, and that Benny will make its way back into the sea and won't be spotted again.

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[26 September 2018 10:32 · Andrew Griffin]

Dave Andrews, a naturalist who has been tracking the whale, says that he has seen it this morning and that it is "back feeding in its favoured spot around the barges on the Kent side".

He asked that all boats "keep clear and let it alone" amid fears the attention could be dangerous or upsetting for the animal.

[26 September 2018 10:34 · Andrew Griffin]

Here's our latest report on the whale – as well as the latest warnings from experts about the dangers and hazards it is facing.

[26 September 2018 11:37 · Andrew Griffin]

The overwhelming advice coming from experts is that the whale be allowed to do its thing – whatever that is. Authorities including the Met Police's Marine Police Unit have warned that the animal will need its distance so that it doesn't become distressed.

[26 September 2018 11:38 · Andrew Griffin]

The British Divers Marine Life Rescue has been monitoring the situation.

The network of volunteer "marine mammal medics" has whale rescue pontoons at the ready that can be used to refloat stranded animals in an effort to move them to safety.

A spokeswoman said the beluga's visit to the Thames was a "very rare occurrence", and urged people not to go out in boats to get a close look at the whale, but to watch it from the shore.

[26 September 2018 11:43 · Andrew Griffin]

ZSL, which runs the London Zoo among other important zoological projects, says that it is being kept up to date about the whale. "We're keeping our fingers crossed for a positive outcome," its Marine and Freshwater Conservation team tweeted.

[26 September 2018 12:24 · Andrew Griffin]

[26 September 2018 12:26 · Andrew Griffin]

It’s very much a working bit of the river that Benny has found himself in – he’s sharing it with huge ships that are continually making their way up and down the river.

[26 September 2018 12:34 · Andrew Griffin]

[26 September 2018 12:34 · Andrew Griffin]

Beluga whales aren’t the only wildlife out here - there’s horses, too. And plenty of dogs, whose owners are here to try and spot Benny.

[26 September 2018 12:37 · Andrew Griffin]