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25/01/2006
Whale post-mortem results revealed
The results of a post-mortem on the Thames whale has revealed that it died of multiple causes.
The post-mortem found that the whale, a young female northern bottlenose, died from severe hydration, muscle damage and kidney failure.
It is believed that the 19ft animal had probably mistakenly swum into the North Sea and had ended up in the Thames while trying to return to its feeding grounds in the Atlantic Ocean.
The findings suggested that the whale had not been able to feed on its normal diet of deep-water squid for three days.
Dr Paul Jepson, a veterinary pathologist, said: "Whales and dolphins obtain water from their food and northern bottlenose whales normally feed on deep water squid in the Atlantic Ocean.
"This animal would not have been able to feed while in the North Sea and so would have become dehydrated."
Scientists examined the whale's body for almost eight hours at the dockside in Denton, Kent, before samples were taken to the Zoological Society of London for further analysis.
Further tests will be carried out to discover if there were any infections or pollutants in the whale's body, such as heavy metals.
However, Dr Jepson ruled out the possibility that sonar from Royal Navy ships could have disorientated the whale and led to it ending up in the Thames.
The whale made headlines around the world last Friday, when it first appeared in the Thames - the first time such a creature had been spotted in the river since records began in 1913.
However, it became disorientated and distressed and attempted to beach itself several times, before a rescue operation was launched. However, the whale died on board a rescue barge, as it was being transported to deeper waters.
Dr Jepson said that the decision had been made to put the animal down, when she became even more distressed, but he said: "While I was drawing the lethal injection, she died."
Dr Jepson said: "The last few days have been an unforgettable and ultimately sad experience for us all and we are now determined that the whale did not die in vain.
"The incident has demonstrated a clear message of the nation's passion for these animals and their conservation."
The whale's bones will be kept at the National History Museum for scientific research.
(KMcA/SP)
The post-mortem found that the whale, a young female northern bottlenose, died from severe hydration, muscle damage and kidney failure.
It is believed that the 19ft animal had probably mistakenly swum into the North Sea and had ended up in the Thames while trying to return to its feeding grounds in the Atlantic Ocean.
The findings suggested that the whale had not been able to feed on its normal diet of deep-water squid for three days.
Dr Paul Jepson, a veterinary pathologist, said: "Whales and dolphins obtain water from their food and northern bottlenose whales normally feed on deep water squid in the Atlantic Ocean.
"This animal would not have been able to feed while in the North Sea and so would have become dehydrated."
Scientists examined the whale's body for almost eight hours at the dockside in Denton, Kent, before samples were taken to the Zoological Society of London for further analysis.
Further tests will be carried out to discover if there were any infections or pollutants in the whale's body, such as heavy metals.
However, Dr Jepson ruled out the possibility that sonar from Royal Navy ships could have disorientated the whale and led to it ending up in the Thames.
The whale made headlines around the world last Friday, when it first appeared in the Thames - the first time such a creature had been spotted in the river since records began in 1913.
However, it became disorientated and distressed and attempted to beach itself several times, before a rescue operation was launched. However, the whale died on board a rescue barge, as it was being transported to deeper waters.
Dr Jepson said that the decision had been made to put the animal down, when she became even more distressed, but he said: "While I was drawing the lethal injection, she died."
Dr Jepson said: "The last few days have been an unforgettable and ultimately sad experience for us all and we are now determined that the whale did not die in vain.
"The incident has demonstrated a clear message of the nation's passion for these animals and their conservation."
The whale's bones will be kept at the National History Museum for scientific research.
(KMcA/SP)
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20 January 2006
Rescue attempt launched for whale in the Thames
A rescue attempt has been launched after a rare whale was spotted in the Thames on Friday. The whale, which has been identified as a northern bottle-nosed whale, was spotted around 08:30am on Friday morning. It is the first time that this type of animal has been spotted in the Thames since 1913, when records began.
Rescue attempt launched for whale in the Thames
A rescue attempt has been launched after a rare whale was spotted in the Thames on Friday. The whale, which has been identified as a northern bottle-nosed whale, was spotted around 08:30am on Friday morning. It is the first time that this type of animal has been spotted in the Thames since 1913, when records began.
23 January 2006
Animal welfare groups highlight whale plight
Animal welfare groups are attempting to raise awareness of the plight of whales, following the death of a bottle-nose whale in the Thames at the weekend. The International Fund for Animal Welfare called for the "outpouring of emotion" over the death of the northern bottle-nose whale to be directed towards other whales.
Animal welfare groups highlight whale plight
Animal welfare groups are attempting to raise awareness of the plight of whales, following the death of a bottle-nose whale in the Thames at the weekend. The International Fund for Animal Welfare called for the "outpouring of emotion" over the death of the northern bottle-nose whale to be directed towards other whales.
01 September 2006
Rescued whale found dead in Skegness
A whale rescued by experts from the Lincolnshire coast has been found dead on a beach near Skegness. The whale, believed to be a northern bottlenose whale, was one of two whales found stranded on Thursday. The other whale died on Thursday afternoon, in spite of attempts to refloat them.
Rescued whale found dead in Skegness
A whale rescued by experts from the Lincolnshire coast has been found dead on a beach near Skegness. The whale, believed to be a northern bottlenose whale, was one of two whales found stranded on Thursday. The other whale died on Thursday afternoon, in spite of attempts to refloat them.
24 January 2006
Whale's bones to go to Natural History Museum
The whale, which died in the River Thames at the weekend, is to be given to the Natural History Museum. The young female bottlenose whale made headlines around the world when she swam into the Thames last Friday. Hundreds of spectators gathered to witness the sight - no such animal had been spotted in the Thames since records began in 1913.
Whale's bones to go to Natural History Museum
The whale, which died in the River Thames at the weekend, is to be given to the Natural History Museum. The young female bottlenose whale made headlines around the world when she swam into the Thames last Friday. Hundreds of spectators gathered to witness the sight - no such animal had been spotted in the Thames since records began in 1913.
10 February 2006
WDCS claims whales being made into 'dog food'
A conservation group has claimed that whale meat produced in Japan’s scientific whaling programme is being turned into dog food. The Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society says that Japan’s stockpile of whale meat has doubled in the past decade as a result of more and more animals being killed each year.
WDCS claims whales being made into 'dog food'
A conservation group has claimed that whale meat produced in Japan’s scientific whaling programme is being turned into dog food. The Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society says that Japan’s stockpile of whale meat has doubled in the past decade as a result of more and more animals being killed each year.
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