Harbour Porpoise, Harbour Seals and Grey Seals all frollicking in the Thames, in London.. yes, really.

These guys are swimming around in the Thames!

Conservationists from the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) have created the Thames Marine Mammal Code of Conduct in time for the peak summer season to improve awareness general well-being, and protection of the river’s flippered residents launched on the 3 July 2014

A harbour seal, chillin' if you see me tweet #inthethames

The code provides practical tips on what to do if a seal or porpoise is spotted in the water or on land, helping members of the public, recreational boat users and commercial users of the Thames make the most of their wildlife encounters without disturbing any marine mammals.

Maybe little known the Thames Estuary is home to more than 650 harbour seals and 200 grey seals. Seals spend some of their time hauled out on sand banks or mudflats where they breed, moult their fur coats, and rest and it's then that are often spotted by the public.

But these marine mammals are being disturbed by boats or by people doing water sports, or stressed by dogs.

ZSL and Conservationists believe that many of these incidents result from the public being unaware of the presence of marine mammals in and around the estuary.

Joanna Barker, Conservation Scientist at ZSL said: “Many people are surprised to discover that marine mammals like seals and porpoises are found in the Thames. We hope that the code of conduct will raise awareness of their presence and enable people to enjoy them from a safe distance.”

The code recommends;

Keeping at least 100 metres away from any marine mammal seen in the water, as they are sensitive to noise.
Put dogs on a lead and leaving the area if seals are spotted hauled out, as seals may perceive a dog as a threat and become distressed.

Download the code of conduct via the ZSL website: www.zsl.org/marinemammals.

Hello, please dont let your dog at me, or hit me with your boat, I'm just moulting fur.

REPORT your sightings on : www.zsl.org/inthethames or with #inthethames

Comments

Real (dead) Mammoth in the Flesh at the Natural History Museum

Today the Natural History Museum (NHM) exhibits the actual remains of a Mammoth, a baby Mammoth named Lyuba (pronounced Loo-ba, meaning Love). Perfectly preserved due to the bacteria surrounding her after she accidentally choked to death, she was found by herders in 2007. She's been compared to the size of a 'large dog', and now hovers in a glass dark box in the middle of the NHM's new exhibition 'Mammoths, Ice Age Giants' . Emotive eyes As it's so well preserved scientists are still learning about it everyday; DNA samples have been removed and examined, what they know already is she died with some of her mothers milk still in her tummy. It doesn't get more personal than that, does it? I have to say as it's a rolling exhibit and Lyuba belongs to The Yamal-Nenents Regional Museum- Siberia, near where she was found; to see her in the 'flesh' as it were is truly a once in a lifetime thing. Personally I feel it is pretty impress...

My Octopus Teacher - Craig Foster in London!

One of the best things about being in this fabulous metropolis is the infinitesimal amount of people who visit, tonight we had a really special visit from Craig Foster. If you saw My Octopus Teacher on Netflix, then you know who Craig Foster is, the man who took us on those early morning freezing swims in the ocean kelp forest of South Africa. There, we see the plethora of connection, the bio diversity and the unavoidable emotional connection this man has found in the midst of utter burn out, with the eight-legged pink invertebrate of the ocean. If you haven’t seen it, you’re in for a treat. If you have, then his new book, which is why he’s in London, has a QR code that links to 27 more episodes. Reason enough there to buy it possibly. We were treated to a short film of an octopus taking Foster’s camera and turning it on him within the talk, we actually see from the octopus’s point of view, and see Craig Fosters knees knocking in the water looking back at the camera, held by ...

Cat café offering feline cuddles and coffee.

"Rub ma belly" Autumn. The leaves are falling. Its grey and raining. We're a long time past March's lockdown and yet coronavirus is still here and we still need to keep our distance. But we have a silver lining! A pick me up proven uplift opens on the 31st October, in the shape of nine cats roaming, ready for petting and belly rubs at the new Java Whiskers cat café at 105, Great Portland Street, in London! You book your time slot, 1-2 hours per person over 10 years of age, arrive 15 minutes early and kick off your shoes! Order some sandwiches, salads and pastries, with vegan options and gluten-free option and then enjoy the kitties as they come a paw-ing. There are rules though to protect the cats, while there are toys to lure in a feline friend, you aren't allowed to force them, pick them up or 'force hold' them, and the cats are free to retreat to downstairs if they decide they're done with human company for a while, so these cat kings and queens ...

Everything London

Search This Blog