BRDP

22nd January 2006

Press Release

Researcher From The Biscay Dolphin Research Programme On Hand For Whale Rescue Attempt In The Thames

With the initial excitement from sightings of at least one 17 – 18 foot Northern Bottlenose Whale in the Thames in London turning to drama as the animal continued to be sighted and final stranded, Emma Webb, a senior researcher from the Biscay Dolphin Research Programme (BDRP) and a volunteer marine medic for the British Divers Marine Life Rescue Service (BDMLR) was on site participating with the rescue attempt.

Following an update from BDMLR headquarters regarding two nocturnal strandings of the animal near Battersea, Emma headed for Albert and Vauxhall bridges on Saturday morning where the animal was at risk of stranding again. The whale was surfacing normally at this time, but the BDMLR team wanted to beach the animal safely in order that inflatable pontoon could contain it and prevent it from injuring itself. However, the whale started heading up the river and beached itself on the south bank of the river just past Battersea Bridge.

Once stranded, the medics including Emma went into action applying water to the whale’s skin and maintaining moisture levels around the eyes and blowhole with lubricant. The sheer size of the whale required some improvisation with pontoons, but these contained the whale and allowed Dr Paul Jepson, the on site vet, to start his assessments of the whale whilst the team continued their efforts to keep the whale comfortable – this seemed to work, as its breathing remained calm and steady.

The decision was taken to float the whale to an awaiting barge for transport and full health assessment, so the pontoons were attached to two rigid inflatables (ribs) and moved very slowly towards the barge as the crowds cheered. The pressure waves created by the motion of the ribs threatened to drown the whale and the medics needed to sit on the pontoons trying to ensure the whale wasn’t crushed.

Once at the barge, the strong currents threatened to dislodge the slings from under the whale which needed to be positioned correctly to avoid damage. With some effort, this was achieved and the whale lifted safely onto the barge. Emma then said her goodbyes and stroked the whale’s dorsal fin one last time before leaving the team to continue their journey. Later, she was informed of the unfortunate demise of the whale.

The ongoing research of the Biscay Dolphin Research Programme has recorded this species on a number of occasions over the last 10 years, initially in association with the deep water canyons to the North of the Spanish coast. In recent years, sightings in this area have been rare, but adults and associated calves have been seen on occasion along the continental slope waters of the Northern Bay of Biscay.

Northern Bottlenose Whale Whilst the animals are not a frequent sighting, the waters of this unique area of the World are certainly within the natural habitat range for this species and other beaked whales including Cuvier’s Beaked Whale, Sowerby’s Beaked Whale and True’s Beaked Whale.

In September 2003, BDRP sighted a single Northern Bottlenose Whale in the shallow waters of the English Channel, during December of the same year, a thin adult Northern Bottlenose Whale stranded on rocks near Bovisand in Plymouth. The animal was freed and swam away. It is uncertain whether its presence in this region was part of a natural migration deviation or due to sickness / disorientation of the individual.

It is possible that the individual(s) seen in the Thames had accidentally entered the shallow waters of North Sea on a seasonal southern migration which would normally follow the deeper waters to the north and west of Scotland – this is likely route that other deep water cetaceans such as the Sperm Whale probably follow when they occasionally strand in the Southern North Sea. It is also conceivable that the animal entered the shallow waters of the English Channel on a northern migration which would normally follow the slope waters to the west of Ireland – which ever route was taken, it was well out of the species preferred habitat and natural range.

Like other beaked whales, sightings of this species are rare due to the relatively short periods of time they spend on the surface and because their natural habitat is primarily found far from shore.

For further information on the Biscay Dolphin Research Programme (BDRP) please contact Adrian Shephard, Public Relations & Publicity Officer at adrian.shephard@biscay-dolphin.org.uk or visit the website at www.biscay-dolphin.org.uk

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Notes for editors:

1. The Biscay Dolphin Research Programme (BDRP) is a charitable scientific organisation (Registered Charity Number: 1110884), which researches the behaviour, distribution and abundance of whales and dolphins, and of other marine life in the English Channel and Bay of Biscay.

BDRP has for the last 10 years, undertaken year round, monthly surveys from the P&O Ferries ship the Pride of Bilbao. This research demonstrates the importance of these seas as feeding and breeding grounds for many different species. More than a quarter of all of the world’s cetacean species are recorded from the area.

The research is conducted by a team of volunteer researchers, and BDRP provides a full time Wildlife Officer the Pride of Bilbao. The Wildlife Officer makes wildlife observations on every crossing, and provides the thousands of passengers who travel the Bay with P&O Ferries with an insight into the regions marine life through lectures and guided sea-watching.

The BDRP’s research and education work help to conserve the marine wildlife by increasing awareness of the importance of these waters.

2. The Northern Bottlenose Whale, the largest species of beaked whale to be found in the European Atlantic, is found predominantly in deep waters in excess of 1000 metres where they dive for an average of 15 - 70 minutes in search of their deep water squid prey. The species suffered severe losses due to hunting prior to protection in 1977; however, there are no reliable estimates of the population size remaining in the European Atlantic.

3. Further information on P&O whale watching mini-cruises across the Bay of Biscay aboard the Pride of Bilbao can be found at www.biscay-dolphin.org.uk or by telephoning 08705 980333.

4. Further details about the research of the BDRP can be found at www.biscay-dolphin.org.uk. The Directors of BDRP are Dr Tom Brereton, Chief Scientific Officer and Clive Martin, Senior Wildlife Officer.

5. The Bay of Biscay is an area of variable sea depths, ranging from shallow coastal waters (less than 100 meters) to the very deep abyssal plain (>4000 meters), with many underwater features such as deep sea canyons and a steep continental slope. The prevailing winds and sea currents make the waters along the slope very productive and attractive to marine life, including cetaceans.

6. The continental slope is an area where the shallow coastal shelf waters descend to much greater oceanic depths. In the Eastern Atlantic, the slope extends along the Spanish western and northern coasts and along the French western coasts and the then continues to the west of Ireland and west and north of Scotland and on towards the west of Norway.

7. The British Divers Marine Life Rescue is a voluntary organisation which provides a 24 hours marine life rescue service http://www.bdmlr.org.uk/pages/main.html

8. All images used in this article are Copyright Emma Webb / Biscay Dolphin Research Programme.

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