Two whales have died after a pod of 25 long-finned pilot whales was spotted in the Thames Estuary last week. British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) was called on Thursday following reports of the whales near Coalhouse Fort at East Tilbury and at Tilbury in Essex.
One female whale was found deceased on Saturday, and another was discovered dead on Sunday morning. The BDMLR stated that the presence of long-finned pilot whales in the Thames and southern North Sea is uncommon, as they typically prefer cooler, temperate waters of the Atlantic Ocean.
The BDMLR reported that one whale showed signs of illness and separated from the group on Friday morning. On Saturday, an attempt was made to herd the pod 20 miles from Gravesend, Kent, towards the North Sea. During this effort, another whale separated and showed signs of illness, briefly stranding at Canvey Island before being found dead on Sunday.
Post-mortem examinations are scheduled for both whales. The BDMLR expressed hope that the remaining whales in the pod have continued into the North Sea.