Beluga whale spotted feeding in the River Thames

A Beluga Whale is thought to have been spotted in the River Thames near Gravesend.

Dave Andrews, a ecologist and ornithologist, posted a video of the creature on Twitter, and said that the whale had been feeding in the area.

The RSPCA has confirmed it is investigating the claim and is sending an officer to the area.

But Marine mammal experts at the Natural History Museum said that the images were not clear enough to say for certain that the animal was a Beluga, but could be ‘an alternative cetacean species with albinism’.

A representative of the British Divers Marine Life Rescue said that the sighting was ‘very rare’, but confirmed that the whale doesn’t appear to be in an immediate danger and is ‘swimming strongly’.

The spokesperson also urged members of the public not to approach the whale in boats to get a closer look, as this could affect to whale’s behaviour and put it in danger.

“It shouldn’t be in these waters and we hope it heads back to the Arctic, but its behaviour is not a massive concern,” they said.

Sarah Dolman of the Whale and Dolphin Conservation also warned the public to stay away from the whale, tweeting: “Probably not good that this beluga is in the Thames. Please give the whale space!”

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In 2006, a northern bottlenose whale died after swimming a considerable way up the Thames, reaching as far as central London.

At one stage, the whale almost became beached near Battersea before members of the public jumped into the water and splashed it to try and force it back to the middle of the river.

The whale, which appeared to be lost, died from convulsions as it was being rescued.