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
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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
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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.
Rescuers try to save minke whale stranded along River Thames for the second time John Dunne and Jonathan Prynn
Rescue teams are trying to catch a minke whale stranded in the River Thames for the second time.
The four metre-long mammal, which was rescued overnight after it was first spotted on Sunday lunchtime near Barnes Bridge, is said to have escaped an inflatable cushion that was guiding it while it was being towed to safety at 1am.
It was later found, about 10am, a few miles along the river in Teddington but has now headed back towards Richmond, the BBC reported.
Rescuers free baby whale from Richmond lock after intensive late night mission
The whale got into difficulty as it was washed ashore at Richmond Lock after swimming up the River Thames
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A frantic rescue mission to save a baby Minke whale that became stuck in the River Thames went on through the night before the injured mammal was moved.