Benny the Beluga Whale facts for kids
| Species | Beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas) |
|---|---|
| Sex | Unknown |
| Known for | Entering the Thames Estuary |
Benny was a famous beluga whale who became well-known in the United Kingdom. In September 2018, people spotted him swimming towards London in the Thames Estuary. For several weeks, Benny was seen many times. He seemed healthy, even though he was all by himself. By December 2018, it looked like Benny had decided to stay in the estuary. His presence even caused a delay in building the Thames Tunnel. Scientists later confirmed that Benny left the Thames Estuary in early 2019.
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About Beluga Whales
Beluga whales usually live in cold, northern waters. They are very social animals and often travel in groups. It is quite rare to find a beluga whale alone. It is even more unusual to see one in warmer waters like the Thames Estuary. The last time a beluga was seen near the Thames was way back in 1913.
Other Whales in the Thames
Many different types of whales and dolphins have been found in the Thames River over the years. One of the most famous was the River Thames whale. This was a young northern bottlenose whale that swam into the Thames in January 2006. It traveled all the way to Chelsea before it got stuck. Sadly, it died because of problems from being stranded.
Benny's Journey: Sightings in the Thames
First Sightings of Benny
On September 24, 2018, Benny was first spotted by people near Coalhouse Fort in Essex. An ecologist named Dave Andrews reported that Benny was eating near some boats. He said Benny "hasn't moved more than 200 metres in either direction." People kept seeing Benny throughout the day. Everyone wondered why this beluga whale had decided to visit the Thames Estuary.
Benny's Movements and Health
The next day, September 25, 2018, Benny was seen further inland. He was off the shore at Gravesend in Kent. Animal experts and scientists were worried. They feared Benny might be lost and could get stuck if he kept swimming west towards London. But later that day, the RSPCA (a charity for animal welfare) reported good news. Benny had changed direction and was now heading east. He seemed to be "swimming strongly and feeding normally."
The RSPCA and the British Divers Marine Life Rescue watched Benny very closely. The Port of London Authority also told boats in the estuary to be careful. They advised them to avoid getting too close to the whale. On September 28, 2018, Benny was seen a little further upstream. Experts believed Benny was moving around the same area to find food. BBC News reported that day that Benny was likely a young adult whale. Medics from the BDMLR said he was "exhibiting foraging behaviour, likely feeding, as well as surfacing and diving consistent with a healthy animal."
Benny Leaves the Estuary
On May 13, 2019, local experts confirmed that Benny had left the Thames Estuary. His visit was a memorable event for many people in the United Kingdom.
Other Famous Marine Animals
- River Thames whale
- Davina the Dolphin, a lone Bottlenose dolphin who lived off the coast of Folkestone & Hythe for about eighteen months from 2006-2007.
- Hvaldimir, a lone Beluga whale found in 2019 wearing a camera strap near Hammerfest, Norway. He later made the town's harbor his home.
- 'Moby Dick', a Beluga whale who became famous in Germany in 1966 after being seen in the Lower Rhine river.
- Tama-chan, a male Bearded seal who became a small celebrity in Japan in 2002. He was found living in the Tama River in Tokyo.
- Slippery the Sea Lion
- List of individual cetaceans
