Dolphin found dead on bank of River Thames

A dolphin was spotted swimming between the Hammersmith and Putney bridges last week

A dolphin has been found dead on the bank of the Thames in west London days after one was spotted in the river last week.

On Thursday, a dolphin nicknamed Jo Jo was spotted swimming between the Hammersmith and Putney bridges.

However, on Monday morning a dolphin was pictured dead on the bank of the river near Chelsea Harbour Pier.

The British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR), which was tracking Jo Jo on Thursday, was contacted for comment.

Warning: This article contains images that some may find distressing

Luke Denne, a journalist at the Climate Centre, said he had spotted a dolphin last week while out filming a story about water quality in the Thames.

He said he was “quite surprised” to see one that far down the river.

The dead animal was pictured on the bank of the river near Battersea

Elliot Gamble A dead dolphin on the bank of the River Thames near a boat — The dead animal was pictured on the bank of the river near Battersea

Mr Denne then called the BDMLR, which tracks dolphins and marine life that could get into difficulty.

Speaking last week, Mary Tester, Thames area coordinator with the BDMLR, said there were a “lot of different theories” on why dolphins were “coming down the river”.

The dead animal was seen on Monday morning

Ryan Archer The dead dolphin on the side of the river — The dead animal was seen on Monday morning

She said it could be the improved water quality of the Thames over recent years, which had improved the level of fish that dolphins preyed on.

“There’s lots of noise in that water,” Ms Tester said. “The bends and turns of the river could potentially negatively impact dolphins’ echo-location.”

The dolphin seen on Thursday was nicknamed Jo Jo by those tracking it

Alexander Nicoloau / Climate Centre The spotted dolphin swimming in the River Thames — The dolphin seen on Thursday was nicknamed Jo Jo by those tracking it

Ms Tester said Jo Jo had last been spotted swimming towards Chelsea when they lost sight of it on Thursday evening.

Members of the public that spot a dolphin swimming in the Thames, or any inland waterway, have been urged to alert the BDMLR and avoid following it in boats or canoes.

A Port of London Authority spokesperson said: “We are aware of a dolphin that sadly died. We are working with the Cetaceans Stranding Investigation Programme to recover the animal.”

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