26 February 2024 , 16:31
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Incredible photos capture the moment a lifeboat crew spotted dolphins with a calf swimming in the River Thames.
The RNLI team were shocked when they saw the pod of dolphins swimming next to their craft around midday yesterday. The members from RNLI Gravesend were returning to their station having arrived from Crossness, near Belvedere, when they were stopped in their tracks at the sight of three dolphins swimming towards their boat in Northfleet, Kent.
It was originally believed the mammals were porpoises a species resembling dolphins but with smaller mouths and spade-shaped teeth. But the RNLI has since confirmed the species to be dolphins. Crew member John Robinson says that he was shocked to see them in the water.
They were spotted by members from RNLI Gravesend whilst returning to their station (RNLI/SWNS)He said: "It was an incredible sight. We spotted the dolphin-like fins at first, there were two adults and a calf. They were approximately two metres in length and incredible to witness right here on the River Thames, especially when they were jumping out of the water." Fellow crew member Ian Smith was equally delighted to see the marine mammals.
The Gravesend station manager added: "We often see seals whilst out on the lifeboat, but dolphins are definitely on the rarer side of marine mammals we spot." After watching the animals swim off, the team returned to Gravesend Reach shortly before 12.15pm.
Heartbreaking footage shows dolphins living in tiny pools METRES from ocean home
The RNLI team were shocked when they saw the pod of dolphins swimming next to their craft (RNLI/SWNS)It comes just a few weeks after dolphins were spotted all the way up the Thames by Canary Wharf and two months after a large whale was removed from the shore of the Thames. The giant animal was found dead and had to be recovered three days later from Cliffe on the Hoo Peninsula.