The whale appears to still be in the same location it has been sighted by consultant ecologist and ornithologist Dave Andrews, who spotted the animal off the Coalhouse Fort, in the eastern English county of Essex.
Mr. Andrews couldn't hide his surprise when he posted a video on Twitter, reporting the sighting.
Can't believe I'm writing this, no joke — BELUGA in the Thames off Coalhouse Fort @RareBirdAlertUK pic.twitter.com/6VtrJ1PVc6
— Dave Andrews (@iPterodroma) September 25, 2018
The ecologist also shared the exact location of the whale.
Location of Thames BELUGA @RareBirdAlertUK @birdguides 51.446053,0.416409
— Dave Andrews (@iPterodroma) September 25, 2018
Another video shared by the researcher shoes the beluga appearing on the river surface and diving back into the water. Mr. Andrews' caption to the footage, informed that the whale hasn't moved more than 200m in either direction.
For anyone twitching the #BELUGA its been feeding around the barges (see last tweet for location) for the last hour and hasn't moved more than 200m in either direction. Still present. Heres another video @RareBirdAlertUK pic.twitter.com/S2qxKJyuuD
— Dave Andrews (@iPterodroma) September 25, 2018
Helicopter hovering over the river can be heard in the most recent video of the whale's adventures in the Thames, shared by the scientist.
Still here and showing well #BELUGA pic.twitter.com/uGqz3XabdP
— Dave Andrews (@iPterodroma) September 25, 2018
Marine life rescuers issued a warning to the public, urging everyone to keep their distance from the creature for its own safety.
It is estimated that there are about 40,000 —80,000 beluga whales left in the world.
