A dolphin has been spotted making its way through the River Thames in west London, according to a marine life charity. The dolphin, believed to be a common dolphin and nicknamed Jo Jo, was seen swimming between Hammersmith and Putney bridges on Thursday evening.
Mary Tester, Thames area coordinator for the British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR), reported that this sighting marks the fourth time a dolphin has ventured into the London stretch of the Thames this year. While it’s not unusual to see dolphins in the Thames Estuary near the North Sea, seeing them venture further into London is a rare occurrence.
Luke Denne, a journalist with the Climate Centre, was filming a segment on water quality when he unexpectedly spotted the dolphin. “I was quite surprised to see one so far down the river,” Denne said.
He promptly contacted the BDMLR, an organization dedicated to tracking dolphins and other marine life that might face difficulties. The BDMLR monitors such sightings to ensure the safety and well-being of these marine creatures.
A dolphin, nicknamed Jo Jo, has been spotted swimming in the River Thames between Hammersmith and Putney bridges, according to marine life charity British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR). This marks the fourth time this year that a dolphin has ventured into the London stretch of the Thames.
Mary Tester, Thames area coordinator with the BDMLR, shared that there are several theories about why dolphins are increasingly seen in this part of the river. One possibility is the improved water quality of the Thames over recent years, which has boosted the availability of fish, a primary food source for dolphins.
However, Tester also pointed out potential challenges. “There’s a lot of noise in the water,” she said. “The bends and turns of the river could potentially interfere with the dolphins’ echolocation abilities.”
The previously sighted dolphins were also believed to be common dolphins, indicating a possible pattern in their movement. Despite these challenges, the improved conditions of the river might be drawing these marine creatures closer to the heart of London.
The dolphin, nicknamed Jo Jo, was last seen swimming towards Chelsea before it disappeared from view on Thursday evening. While dolphins previously spotted in the Thames have unfortunately passed away, Mary Tester of the British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) remains hopeful. She noted that a recent sighting of a dolphin in Gravesend, Kent, could indicate that Jo Jo has returned to the estuary.
On Friday morning, the Port of London Authority (PLA) posted a photo on X (formerly Twitter) showing a dolphin in Gravesend Reach, captioned, “PLA’s rowers out on the tidal Thames early this morning encountered a neighbor.” Although it’s challenging to confirm whether this dolphin is Jo Jo, Tester considers it “potentially very good news.”
Tester advised that if anyone spots a dolphin in the River Thames or any inland waterway, they should contact the BDMLR immediately. It’s also important to avoid approaching the dolphin with boats or canoes to ensure its safety and well-being.