Whale stranded in Thames as crowds watch mammal ‘trapped in Richmond lock’

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Crowds have gathered to watch the rescue of a baby whale who has been stranded in the River Thames.

The infant mammal became trapped in Richmond Lock in southwest London at around 7.30pm this evening.

 

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Rescue under way to help whale stranded in Thames​

BBC News
Monday 10th May 2021



A rescue operation is under way to help a small whale that has become stranded in the River Thames in south-west London.

Crowds gathered at Richmond Lock on Sunday evening after the whale, believed to be a Minke, got stuck.

RNLI rescuers arrived to cheers at about 21:00 BST and moved the whale at about 00:45 BST to a safer location.

A vet will assess the animal's health to determine if it is healthy enough to be released.

BBC News reporter Matt Graveling, at the scene, said the future of the whale "still hangs in the balance".

Fire crews and marine rescue divers tried for several hours to float the whale - approximately 3-4m long - off concrete.

The animal was understood to be stuck on the lock's boat rollers.

'Some injuries'​

The Port of London Authority, which owns and operates the lock, said the whale had become stranded at about 19:00.

Rescue operation to help whale stranded in Thames

The whale, believed to be a baby Minke, was spotted in Richmond Lock yesterday evening and has since been moved.

www.bbc.co.uk