Seal spotted hanging around Billingsgate Fish Market

Rare: the seal was spotted behind Billingsgate Market
Zahari Zankov
Hannah Al-Othman23 March 2016

A seal has been spotted basking on the banks of the River Thames.

The mammal appeared behind Billingsgate Market, London's most famous fish market, and had perhaps paid a visit in the hope of picking up a tasty treat.

Zahari Zankov was exercising in the gym in 1 Churchill Place, Canary Wharf, when the aquatic animal popped by to say hello, and he managed to snap a picture before the seal swam away.

The Thames Estuary is home to harbour seals, also known as ‘common seals’, grey seals, harbour porpoises and sometimes even dolphins and whales.

Since ZSL started collecting data in 2004, 352 harbour seals and 506 grey seals have been spotted in the Thames as well as 261 harbour porpoises, 23 dolphins, and 305 unknown seals.

Survey: hundreds of seals have been spotted since ZSL started recording data
Richard Page-Jones/@WorgInfo

Last week Stuart Graham also posted on Twitter saying he had spotted one of the animals in the River Thames, just around a bend at Victoria Deep Wharf.

And earlier this month, Richard Page-Jones saw one of the animals in the water in Rotherhithe, near the Old Salt Quay pub.

Seal: this animal was seen in Rotherhithe near the Old Salt Quay pub Richard Page-Jones/@WorgInfo
Richard Page-Jones/@WorgInfo

ZSL encourages Londoners who spot seals in the Thames to report the sighting.

According to scientists from the zoo, the Thames Estuary seals are some of the least understood seal populations in the country.

ZSL is using tagging, annual population surveys and information about sightings reporting by members of the public to gather data to better inform conservation and management, as part of the newly-formed Greater Thames Seal Working Group.

Swimming: the seal appeared to be enjoying the water Richard Page-Jones/@WorgInfo
Richard Page-Jones/@WorgInfo

A spokesperson said: "ZSL has been collecting public sightings of these marine mammals since 2004 and they are frequently sighted all the way up to Richmond.

"These sightings form a crucial part of our understanding of the biodiversity in the Thames and help us conserve these charismatic top predators."

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