RIP Minnie, such a sad ending : Londoners mourn baby minke whale that was put to sleep after becoming trapped upstream in Thames despite desperate battle to save it
The whale was first freed in the early hours of Monday morning after it got stuck in Richmond Lock and Weir
While animal was refloated at time, it swiftly got stranded again near Teddington after swimming upstream
As condition deteriorated and hopes for its survival faded, the decision was made that it should be euthanised
A vet gave the whale an overdose of anaesthetic - meaning it wouldn t feel anything except the needle
Small whale freed after becoming stranded still in River Thames bournemouthecho.co.uk - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from bournemouthecho.co.uk Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
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.