27 black dolphins swam into the Thames, only 25 were saved
Quick Look
- In the UK, 27 black dolphins accidentally swam into the River Thames and were unable to get out on their own.
- The rescue operation lasted several days, as a result of which 25 animals were saved, two dolphins died due to illness.
- Experts note that the Thames is not a natural habitat for this species.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Black dolphins, also known as pilot whales, are large marine mammals that live in the open ocean. They are known for their complex social structure and tendency to strand on large scales. The Thames is a river in Great Britain that is unsuitable for marine species due to its shallow depth and lack of suitable food.
In the UK, 27 black dolphins accidentally swam into the Thames and were unable to get out on their own. The Times reports this.
A pod of black dolphins (also known as pilot whales) was spotted by marine pilots. They reported this to the Port of London Authority (PLA), who asked ships not to go close to the animals so as not to harm them.
“They were very disoriented. It was clear that they were swimming in different directions,” said PLA employee Lyn Kindlen. The operation to rescue the lost dolphins lasted several days. “The main thing was patience. We had to constantly stop to assess their condition and adjust the plan,” Kindlen added.
According to rescuers, the operation took so long because there were mothers with cubs in the flock who needed rest. They took dolphins out of the rivers in eight boats. As a result, specialists managed to save only 25 pilot whales. Two more dolphins looked sick during the journey and were never able to swim out with their relatives.
The PLA said the Thames is not a natural environment for black dolphins. It is too small, and there is no food there for them. “This is not an environment where they survive. The worst-case scenario would be a mass stranding and the entire flock would die,” the PLA added.
Pilot whales, also known as black dolphins, are large marine mammals from the dolphin family. They are divided into two species: the common and short-finned pilot whales, which differ in the length of their fins and habitat. Pilot whales are famous for their complex social organization and frequent mass strandings.
Open Questions
- Why did dolphins swim into the river?
- Will there be an investigation into the cause of the incident?
- How can similar cases be prevented in the future?
