Seals return to the Thames: Nature's comeback in London's heart
Few people would expect such a sight: seals and smaller grey seals can increasingly be spotted off the coast of... London. These animals have taken a liking to living along the banks of the Thames. Experts explain what this means.
After years of not being seen in the Baltic, they have unexpectedly appeared in the centre of London. Grey seals, once known as Grey Seals, have returned to a rather unexpected location, causing quite a sensation among the residents of the British capital.
Grey seals were exterminated in most Baltic regions since the 19th century when they were considered a threat to fish valued by humans—such as herrings, vendace, or salmon. Mass hunting of these seals at the beginning of the 20th century decimated their population.
This species is still seen in the Baltic Sea basin. Grey seals are spotted off the coasts of Sweden, Finland, and Estonia and encountered in Poland. The largest population of this species currently lives on the Åland Islands.
However, the greatest sensation was caused by these animals' presence off the Thames banks. Grey seals have returned to the centre of London, choosing the murky river as their habitat.
According to data provided by the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), nearly 3,000 seals live off the banks of the River Thames. Recently, 2,988 were counted in this area, and over 700, as Interia reports, regularly bask on the urban shores of the Thames.
Seals have settled here permanently, breeding and living without much concern for the presence of humans. The sight of a grey seal swimming along the boulevards does not surprise any of the locals. Although the Thames is not the cleanest, it offers marine animals up to 125 species of fish favoured by seals.
