A Beluga Whale Was Spotted Swimming in the River Thames

Rescue teams are worried that plastic bags and other trash could potentially become a problem for Benny, and that any noise in the water could impair its sonar system. But Tanya Ferry, environment manager at the Port of London Authority, which is monitoring the whale, told BBC News, “We’re hoping if we give it enough space and keep an eye on it, it will find its own way out of the Thames to an environment that’s more appropriate for it.” Observers have also noted that it appears to be feeding normally, and has progressed down the Thames toward the estuary, which is a good sign.

Hopefully Benny fares better than the northern bottlenose whale found swimming in the Thames in 2006. It died during the rescue attempt.

This isn’t even the first time this month an Arctic whale has ventured outside familiar waters. Last week, a narwhal was spotted swimming in Quebec’s St. Lawrence River with a pod of belugas.

H/T: BBC Earth