# Pilot whale sightings in the River Thames

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/pilot-whale-sightings-in-the-river-thames
> Updated: 2026-09-20T12:16:08.000Z. Sources: 3. Developments: 2.

A pod of approximately 25 pilot whales was spotted in the River Thames near Coalhouse Fort in Tilbury, an event described as “extremely rare” for the area. Following the sighting, the Port of London Authority and British Divers Marine Life Rescue were alerted to monitor the group, which appeared to be heading back to sea by that evening.

By September 20, a juvenile pilot whale was found dead on a beach on Canvey Island, Essex. While the juvenile deceased, rescue teams including HM Coastguard and British Divers Marine Life Rescue successfully guided the remaining members of the pod into deeper waters off the Kent coast.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-20: Juvenile pilot whale found dead on Essex beach

A juvenile pilot whale was found dead on Canvey Island, Essex, following a major rescue operation to guide a rare pod of whales through the Thames Estuary.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/juvenile-pilot-whale-found-dead-on-essex-beach

### 2026-09-18: Pilot whales spotted in rare River Thames sighting

A rare pod of approximately 25 pilot whales was spotted in the River Thames near Tilbury, an unusual event for the area. The group was seen heading back to sea after marine rescue services were alerted.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/pilot-whales-spotted-in-rare-river-thames-sighting

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Cite as: Pilot whale sightings in the River Thames. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/pilot-whale-sightings-in-the-river-thames