Experts today said the beluga whale could remain in the Thames for weeks or even months if it is ‘happy feeding’.
The whale has been spotted again in the River Thames for a third consecutive day – but seems to be moving towards London rather than to open sea.
The pearl-white mammal’s hump could be seen rising to the surface close to a jetty near Gravesend, Kent just after 10.30am this morning.
A boat from the British Divers Marine Life Rescue – an organisation dedicated to the rescue and well-being of marine animals in distress around the UK – circled the barge close to where the whale keeps surfacing
Concerns had been growing for the beluga whale spotted in the River Thames estuary
The rare sea mammal arched its body clear every couple of minutes to whoops of delight from onlookers, who had gathered on the banks to catch a glimpse of the now-world famous Beluga – nicknamed Benny.
The whale had moved several hundred metres up river towards London from where it was spotted throughout Wednesday.
A patrol boat from the British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) spent three hours monitoring the whale – nicknamed Benny – on Wednesday.
Experts have allayed fears the whale could be in danger, assuring people that it is in good health and is returning to the same area to feed.
Director Geoff Hammock and Thames region coordinator Sam Lipman used a Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB) to get close to the Beluga whale.
The whale appears to be ‘fine’ said Mr Hammock, who added: ‘It is as well as can be expected. We think it is feeding.’
But Ms Lipman said the whale could stay in the Thames ‘for weeks or months if he or she is happy feeding’.
An RNLI crew watch from their rib as a beluga whale swam in the Thames
The beluga whale breaches in the river Thames close to Gravesend, Kent,
She added: ‘They are aware, they understand who they are and what they are. It means they make their own decisions. It will be down to him or her to make up their mind.
‘We are looking at body condition and behaviour. We are just going on what we can observe.
‘It looks like it could be a sub-adult, it has grey tinges. There have only been about 20 reports in British waters so it is a really rare occurrence.
‘If you have to get in the water don’t get too close. Watch from land respectfully, but if anybody is too loud it can affect them.’
The beluga whale swimming in the Thames near Gravesend, Kent
Despite initial fears the ‘very lost’ mammal’s life could be in danger, the RSPCA has assured watchers Benny has moved further down the Thames out towards the estuary, ‘which is a good sign.’
A boat from the British Divers Marine Life Rescue continues to monitor the whale
Beluga whales are quite often inquisitive, said Mr Hammock, who said the BDMLR’s task was to monitor the whale and see how it is behaving.
He said: ‘We think that if there was not any food it would have been looking for food. It keeps coming back to the same point.’
The whale is believed to be up to three metres long.
It was first near Tilbury Docks on the River Thames, 30 miles from the sea, on Tuesday.