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IN PHOTOS: the tale of the Teddington whale

Local News by Ellie Brown - Local Democracy Reporter 5th Nov 2021  
Photos tell the story of the visit by a minke whale calf to Teddington Lock / All photo credits: Emma Durnford
Photos tell the story of the visit by a minke whale calf to Teddington Lock / All photo credits: Emma Durnford
The calf was first seen yesterday morning swimming by the Weir
The calf was first seen yesterday morning swimming by the Weir
Press helicopters from national media were on the scene
Press helicopters from national media were on the scene
Teddington RNLI sent a launch out to check up on the whale
Teddington RNLI sent a launch out to check up on the whale
TV journalists from the BBC, Sky and ITV were all in Teddington to get the story
TV journalists from the BBC, Sky and ITV were all in Teddington to get the story
The calf then became stuck by the undergrowth around the Flying Cloud Cafe
The calf then became stuck by the undergrowth around the Flying Cloud Cafe
Crowds gathered as the RNLI constructed a makeshift pontoon to reach the whale
Crowds gathered as the RNLI constructed a makeshift pontoon to reach the whale
Marine mammal medics from the British Divers and Marine Life Rescue were there
Marine mammal medics from the British Divers and Marine Life Rescue were there
Hundreds of people lined Teddington footbridge to catch a glimpse of the calf
Hundreds of people lined Teddington footbridge to catch a glimpse of the calf
RNLI crew and medics tend to the whale which was sadly put down / Photo: Ellie Brown
RNLI crew and medics tend to the whale which was sadly put down / Photo: Ellie Brown
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Exclusive new photos from local resident Emma Durnford tell the story of a whale which became stranded at Teddington Lock yesterday.

The baby minke calf had swum up the Thames and got trapped at Richmond Lock the night before, but escaped from rescuers and swam downstream towards Isleworth.

It was first seen in Teddington at 11am and caused considerable excitement in the town, with residents lining the bridge and banks in their hundreds to catch a glimpse of fin.

More stories

Whale stuck at Teddington Lock

UPDATE: 'distressed' whale stuck at cafe by Teddington Lock

Sad ending for Teddington Lock whale

A lifeboat from Teddington RNLI was launched and national media crews were on the scene as the whale circled Teddington Weir, often popping up to get some air to gasps from the crowd.

But the story soon turned tragic as the whale became stuck in the undergrowth by a river wall at the Flying Cloud Café.

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Medics from the British Divers and Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) attended and RNLI crew constructed a pontoon to reach the whale which was slowly starting to become beached by the outgoing tide.

Police secured the area but members of the public and media crews continued to watch rescuers' progress from the bridge and a nearby grassy hill.

Sadly, at around quarter to 5 the BDMLR released a statement confirming that it planned to euthanise the whale as its condition was quickly deteriorating and it had lost a lot of strength.

Later that evening the calf was put to sleep by specialist marine medics.

Teddington residents took to social media to express their condolences, with many paying tribute to the efforts of the RNLI.

Teddington Parish wrote on Twitter: "So sad to hear that despite all the hard work of our friends from @RNLITeddington, experts and help from #Teddington volunteers it wasn't possible to save the stranded whale."

And Maria Yamauchi tweeted: "As a Teddington resident, the Thames #whale news is very sad but hats off to the @RNLI and @rnli_teddington for their efforts to try & save it.

""Rescuing baby whale far from home" can't be on many job descriptions. Thank you RNLI. #savinglivesatsea."

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