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Events recall Thames whale bid
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Three London events have been organised to mark the anniversary of attempts to save a whale that won the sympathy of millions after it swam up the Thames on 20 January last year.
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The female northern bottlenose arrived in central London confused, weak and distressed. A gallant rescue bid, led by British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR), was launched but the 6m-long whale died the next day aboard a barge heading down-river.
It turned out that the whale died from dehydration, cardiovascular failure, kidney failure and muscle damage. Its skeleton went to the Natural History Museum’s scientific research collection, which holds more than 2500 whale, dolphin and porpoise specimens. The museum, in Cromwell Road, Kensington, also collates data for the UK Whale and Dolphin Stranding Scheme, funded by DEFRA.
From 20-30 January, the museum is running Thames Whale Week. While honouring the Thames rescue attempt, the event will allow visitors to chat about whales and other marine mammals with experts at the museum. Sessions run at 12 and 2.30pm over the two weekends, and at 2.30pm on the weekdays.
Space limitations prevented any thought of putting the Thames whaleÂ’s skeleton on display at the museum. Instead the Guardian newspaper, which is entering into the spirit with a series of reports and features about whales this week, has been loaned the skeleton for exhibition in its Newsroom, Archive and Visitor Centre, at 60 Farringdon Road, London EC1.
Entry to the exhibition, which runs from 22-27 January and includes the story of the whaleÂ’s journey and rescue bid, is free. But you need to book a time slot by calling the bookings line 020 7239 9993, active from 10am-6pm daily up to 6pm on 19 January.
On 21 January, the anniversary of the Thames whale’s death, the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich stages whale-themed talks and workshops “celebrating whales and promoting whale conservation”.
The programme has been organised by BDMLR, the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society and the International Fund for Animal Welfare. Fun for children includes whale-themed art activities. The events run from 11.30am-4.30pm. The museum is open from 10am-5pm.
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