Watch: Video shows ‘shark’ in the Thames
A shark may have been spotted swimming near London’s Hammersmith Bridge, according to experts and the woman who filmed the dark object.
Charlotte Webb said she was walking alongside the Thames with a friend when they saw what they initially believed was a bean bag floating on the water.
They then filmed the shape and, after conducting their own research, concluded that it was a shark around 5ft long.
An expert told The Telegraph that the sighting “is potentially a great sign of life within the Thames that should be celebrated”.
‘I had no idea sharks swam in the Thames’
At least five different species of shark are known to live in the Thames estuary, including the endangered tope shark, starry smooth-hound and spurdog, according to the Greater Thames Shark Project, run by the Zoological Society of London.
The tope and starry smoothhounds “give birth to live young” and it is believed they use the estuary as “nursery habitats for young shark pups”.
However, the sighting – over 40 miles from the estuary – does raise the question how it might have arrived there.
Richard Peirce, a shark conservationist and chairman of the Shark Trust, suggested the apparent shark might have become lost or disoriented following high tides the night before.
Ms Webb, 25, said: “I had no idea sharks swam in the Thames. I thought it was fake or a bean bag floating along at first.
“My best friend Olivia said it was definitely not a shark and joked that it was a crocodile. It looked around 5ft which makes it a tope shark, according to the comments.
“I absolutely hate sharks so it just confirmed my decision to never go in the sea again.”
‘Potentially a great sign of life in the Thames’
Dr Hannah Rudd, a marine scientist, told The Telegraph: “At least five different species of shark are known to live in the Thames Estuary… These sharks pose little to no risk to humans and should not be feared. While it is difficult to ID the exact species from the video, if it is indeed a shark, this is potentially a great sign of life within the Thames that should be celebrated.
“There are still many questions to answer about sharks in the Thames and how they are using the habitats within the estuary.
“The Zoological Society of London is working with recreational anglers through the Greater Thames Shark Project to find out more about these species.”
The Greater Thames Shark Project said: “A key part of the UK’s proud natural biodiversity, sharks are at far greater risk from humans than we are from them, and inaccurate, negative portrayals of these fantastic animals create a major barrier to global conservation efforts.”