24/01/2006

Whale's bones to go to Natural History Museum

The whale, which died in the River Thames at the weekend, is to be given to the Natural History Museum.

The young female bottlenose whale made headlines around the world when she swam into the Thames last Friday.

Hundreds of spectators gathered to witness the sight - no such animal had been spotted in the Thames since records began in 1913.

However, following a massive rescue effort, costing £100,000, the whale tragically died, while being transported to deeper waters on a salvage barge.

It is not known how the whale ended up in the Thames, but some reports have suggested that sonar from Royal Navy ships could have disorientated the animal. However, the Ministry of Defence has denied that any ships were in the area when the whale was spotted.

A post-mortem examination on the whale is continuing, with the results expected to be released on Wednesday.

Following the vetinary examination, the whale's bones will be cleaned and preserved at the museum for research purposes.

The group that organised the rescue attempt, British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR), have appealed for donations in order to raise money to cover the rescue effort.

A watering can, used by the rescue team, is being auctioned on Internet auction site eBay to help raise funds. Donations may also be made to BDMLR through the website at: www.bdmlr.org.uk or by contacting: 01825 765546.

Westminster Council has waived parking fines totalling £300, acquired by volunteers as they participated in the prolonged rescue effort.

(KMcA)

Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

20 January 2006
Rescue attempt launched for whale in the Thames
A rescue attempt has been launched after a rare whale was spotted in the Thames on Friday. The whale, which has been identified as a northern bottle-nosed whale, was spotted around 08:30am on Friday morning. It is the first time that this type of animal has been spotted in the Thames since 1913, when records began.
23 January 2006
Animal welfare groups highlight whale plight
Animal welfare groups are attempting to raise awareness of the plight of whales, following the death of a bottle-nose whale in the Thames at the weekend. The International Fund for Animal Welfare called for the "outpouring of emotion" over the death of the northern bottle-nose whale to be directed towards other whales.
01 August 2008
Race Against Time To Save Stranded Whale
A rescue operation is underway to save a six-tonne whale stranded on mudflats in Langstone Harbour. Firefighters with mud rescue equipment and members of the British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BMDLR) organisation have attended the scene at Hayling Island, Hampshire to save the stricken mammal.
25 January 2006
Whale post-mortem results revealed
The results of a post-mortem on the Thames whale has revealed that it died of multiple causes. The post-mortem found that the whale, a young female northern bottlenose, died from severe hydration, muscle damage and kidney failure.
01 September 2006
Rescued whale found dead in Skegness
A whale rescued by experts from the Lincolnshire coast has been found dead on a beach near Skegness. The whale, believed to be a northern bottlenose whale, was one of two whales found stranded on Thursday. The other whale died on Thursday afternoon, in spite of attempts to refloat them.