By Press Association 2021
A small whale, believed to be a Minke whale, being hosed down after it stranded at Richmond Lock and Weir on Sunday
A small whale has been freed after it became stranded along the River Thames in south-west London on Sunday evening.
Hundreds gathered at Richmond Lock and Weir after the whale, believed to be a Minke and between three to four metres long, became stuck on the lock’s boat rollers.
Videos showed it being hosed down by a man believed to be a Port of London Authority (PLA) staffer, while a vet performed a check-up at the river’s edge, before the Royal National Lifeboat Institute (RNLI) arrived at the scene to the cheers of onlookers around 9pm.
Small whale stranded in River Thames to be put to sleep
Source: @Chopchopmate, Twitter
An injured minke whale calf that got stranded in the River Thames will be put down after its condition deteriorated and the prospects for its survival diminished.
“They’re going to put the whale to sleep. It’s suffering quite badly, it has been for about the last 45 minutes,” said Julia Cable, national co-ordinator at British Divers Marine Life Rescue, an organisation co-ordinating the rescue bid.
The whale was freed in the early hours of this morning after it became stranded along the River Thames in south-west London late last night.
Small whale stranded in River Thames freed after desperate battle to save it
The whale got into difficulty near Richmond Lock and Weir on Sunday, May 9, and although it has now been freed, experts remain hugely concerned about its wellbeing
09:49, 10 MAY 2021
The video will auto-play soon8Cancel
Play now
The Daily Star s FREE newsletter is spectacular! Sign up today for the best stories straight to your inboxInvalid EmailSomething went wrong, please try again later.
Sign up today!
When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Your information will be used in accordance with ourPrivacy Notice.
Whale in River Thames rescued as hundreds gather to watch operation to free stranded animal
The whale, believed to be a Minke, was finally freed at about 1am
The video will auto-play soon8Cancel
Play now
Get the latest email updates for Surrey with our FREE daily newsletterInvalid EmailSomething went wrong, please try again later.
Subscribe here
When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Your information will be used in accordance with ourPrivacy Notice.
Thank you for subscribingWe have more newslettersShow meSee ourprivacy notice
A small whale has been freed after it became stuck along the River Thames on Sunday evening (May 9).
A small whale has been freed after it became stranded along the River Thames in south-west London on Sunday evening. Hundreds gathered at Richmond Lock and Weir after the whale, believed to be a Minke and between three to four metres long, became stuck on the lock’s boat rollers. Videos showed it being hosed down by a man believed to be a Port of London Authority (PLA) staffer, while a vet performed a check-up at the river’s edge, before the Royal National Lifeboat Institute (RNLI) arrived at the scene to the cheers of onlookers around 9pm. Fire crews were also at the scene, along with the British Divers Marine Life Rescue service.