Londoners flocking to see the humpback whale spotted in the Thames said today it was “amazing” to have one “on your doorstep”.
The mammal, which is about 26ft long, has been seen swimming back and forth along a 10-mile stretch of the Thames from Tilbury to Erith and Greenhithe since the weekend.
Ecologist Adam Wilson, 50, said: “It is incredible to see. I came over from north London because I’ve never seen a humpback whale before. It’s great that people are standing on the banks and watching it.”
Margaret Blake, 58, said: “It’s amazing. I wish my grandson was here because it would make his week. I went whale-watching on a boat with my husband years ago and we paid thousands of pounds to do it. You don’t expect to do the same on your doorstep.”
Marine experts and the Port of London Authority have warned nature enthusiasts to watch from a distance.
Dr Peter Evans, of the University of Bangor, said: “If lots of boats come to look at the whale it will make things worse by stressing the animal, which could cause it to strand itself.”
He added: “I suspect there has been a big shoal of fish that have come in close to the estuary and it’s simply followed them. It being here for a few days does not worry me but if it persists, there would be a concern.”
