A pod of around 15 pilot whales, a type of dolphin, was spotted swimming in the River Thames near Gravesend, approximately 20 miles inland from the sea. The Port of London Authority (PLA) confirmed it is working with marine mammal experts to help the animals return to their natural habitat.
Photographer captures rare sighting
Jason Arthur, a 56-year-old photographer from Gravesend, captured images of the whales' dorsal fins breaking the water's surface as they swam around a PLA vessel. Arthur told reporters he was alerted to the sighting by a friend and rushed to the riverbank to document the event.
“I couldn't believe how many there were – when my friend told me, I rushed down there to get them. You don't often see loads of them down there. There was a dolphin there two or three years ago, but not that many,” Arthur said. He recalled a single dolphin entering the river in 2024, but nothing on this scale.
Authorities respond to unusual marine event
A Port of London Authority spokesperson said the pod was first noticed yesterday afternoon when a marine pilot spotted the whales from a ship travelling through the Thames Estuary. The PLA quickly alerted the British Divers Marine Life Rescue organisation (BDMLR) and notified local authorities in Gravesham and Thurrock.
“There is currently a pod of pilot whales in the tidal Thames, near Gravesend. They are a wonderful sight, but this is not the usual environment for them, so we hope they will soon be able to find their way back out to sea,” the spokesperson said. “That's why we are working with marine mammal experts at BDMLR to do all we can to keep them safe while they are with us.”
Safety measures and public appeal
The PLA has issued broadcast information to mariners advising caution when navigating that section of the river. A harbour service patrol boat is monitoring the pod from a safe distance and alerting river traffic to their presence.
“While we know there is interest in the whales, we are strongly encouraging people to stay away so as not to alarm or hurt them or put yourselves in danger,” the spokesperson added. “The whales are beautiful, but given this isn't a normal place to see them, we are concerned for their welfare. We will continue to do all we can to keep them safe.”
The PLA and BDMLR continue to monitor the situation, with the priority being the safe return of the pod to the sea.
