Thames set for Mammal Count

26 Jul 2004

The Zoological Society of London (ZSL) has launched the Thames Marine Mammal Sightings Survey and is appealing for people fortunate enough to spot dolphins, porpoises and seals in the Thames to participate in the survey.

The questionnaire-based investigation, will help shape future conservation plans and contribute to the long term monitoring of these creatures. While is it known that marine mammals visit the Thames Estuary, it is not known in what quantity, which areas they like best, or whether they only find themselves in the Thames because they are disorientated or in trouble.

ZSL are hoping that the Mammal Sighting Survey will help answer some of these questions and lead to more informed decision making. The survey will look to gather information on mammal sightings from the general public and other river users, who and are an untapped resource in terms of data collection.

Recent sightings in the Thames have included bottlenose dolphins, harbour porpoises, common seals and grey seals. Grey seals are among the rarest in the world, with the UK population of 124,000 representing around 40% of the global population. It is estimated that there are just 300 bottlenose dolphins in UK waters and 350,000 harbour porpoises. The main threats to these mammals are thought to be ecosystem change, fisheries by-catch, chemical contamination and boat traffic.

Although all species of marine mammals are protected from killing, capture and deliberate disturbance in UK waters, without data showing which areas are valuable to these animals it is difficult to enforce these directives. ZSL hope that this survey will help to fill this gap and assist in the long term conservation of marine mammals. For more information or to download the survey form visit ZSL's website, or contact ZSL by email.