The very sad outcome I mentioned in THIS previous post-or see post immediately below this one

London's River Thames whale dies during rescue attempt

The River Thames whale died Saturday as rescue workers attempted to take it out to sea for release, Britain's Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals said.

The animal suffered a series of convulsions at 7 p.m (1900GMT) and had been struggling with the effects of being out of the water as it was ferried on a barge toward the Thames Estuary.

Swaddled in blankets on the rusting salvage barge, the whale - watched by thousands in London as it spent two days swimming up the River Thames past some of the capital's most famous landmarks - had shown signs of increasing stress and stiffening muscles, an indicator it was in serious difficulty.

"We understand from the vet onboard the salvage vessel that the whale suffered a series of convulsions at around 7p.m (1900GMT) and died," said Katy Geary, a spokeswoman for the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.


London's Wayward Whale Dies During Rescue Attempt

The lost and distressed whale stranded in the River Thames died Saturday as rescue workers attempted to ferry it out to sea for release, an animal rights group said.

The 20-foot-long Northern bottlenose whale had been lifted onto a barge by rescuers and was being taken downriver toward the North Sea when it suffered convulsions and died, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals said.

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When sick, old or injured, whales often get disoriented and swim away from their pod, said Mark Simmonds, science director at the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society.

Some people reported seeing a second whale in a different section of the river Friday.

Last week, marine officials said they saw two bottlenose whales in northeastern Scotland when the mammals are normally seen in northwestern Scotland. That, coupled with the second sighting Friday, could suggest that something is disrupting the whales, Sadler said.

Scientists have said fluctuating ocean temperatures, predators, lack of food and even sonar from ships can send whales into waters that are dangerous for the mammals.

"It's extremely rare for one to turn up in a river in the United Kingdom. I suspect that the animal may be in ill health," said Tony Martin, a senior scientist with the British Antarctic Survey.

"It's going to be very confused. It's already stranded twice. The poor creature doesn't know where to go."