The discovery of a dead dolphin on the bank of the Thames has come just days after another dolphin was spotted swimming between the Hammersmith and Putney bridges. The first dolphin was nicknamed Jo Jo and was being tracked by the British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) when it was seen. The body of the second dolphin was found on Monday morning near Chelsea Harbour Pier whilst another was found at Greenwich although the date of its death is unknown. There are fears that the dead dolphins may have been from the same pod.
Speaking to BBC London, Mary Tester, Thames area coordinator for BDMLR, said that for dolphins to be seen “this far up the river is quite odd and so many sightings in quick succession – that has never happened before.” Two dolphins were spotted close to Canary Wharf before Jo Jo was seen.
It is hoped that autopsies on the dolphins may shed light on what has caused their deaths. The Port of London Authority said they are cooperating with the Cetaceans Stranding Investigation Programme to recover the animal. BDMLR is seeking permission to assist animals that may be in distress in the Thames.
Theories as to why dolphins are “coming down the river” abound. One suggestion is that the improved water quality that has resulted in an increase in the level of fish that dolphins prey on may be the reason. Speaking on the matter, Ms. Tester suggested that “there’s lots of noise in that water. The bends and turns of the river could potentially negatively impact dolphins’ echo-location.” Members of the public have been urged to alert the BDMLR and avoid following dolphins in boats or canoes.
Whilst it is not known if the dolphins had always lived in the Thames area, it is becoming increasingly common for marine animals to be seen in the river. In 2019, a beluga whale was seen swimming near Gravesend and in 2018 a harbour seal visited Hammersmith Bridge. The return of marine life to the Thames is being interpreted as a sign of increased water quality.
The return of marine life to the Thames is being interpreted as a sign of increased water quality. Marine mammals in the Thames were all but eradicated in the 1960s when the river was considered to be biologically extinct. The Clean Thames campaign of the 1950s began to reverse the damage to the ecosystem, and river quality has since improved, with salmon and seals being seen as far upriver as Teddington, nearly 25 miles from the estuary. The density of traditional Thames species, such as flounder, smelt, and Thames watermen’s trout, has also improved.
Photographs of the dead dolphin on social media have been labelled “shocking” and “tragic” and have prompted calls for a cleaner London environment. The death of the dolphin has brought the issue of marine life conservation back into the public eye, and it is hoped that it will prompt more action to protect the creatures living in the Thames
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