The rescue operation for the Thames whale, and the worldwide
sympathy it provoked, highlight a remarkable change of
sentiment in Britain toward whales.
Forty years ago -- the last time such a large whale was seen in the Thames -- the creature was declared dangerous and left to die. Historically, England has treated whales harshly. In the
17th century, London was home to a flourishing whaling
industry that killed tens of thousands of animals a year
simply to extract their oil for lighting.
On September 2, 1658, a large whale was harpooned after it appeared in the Thames following a great storm. The Sunday Times of London said Saturday's thwarted rescue was masterminded by a small group of volunteers, the British Divers Marine Life Rescue, a charity that has been saving stranded whales, dolphins and other creatures along Britain's coasts for 18 years. The BDMLR has built up a network of 3,000 volunteer divers, boat handlers and other experts.
On the road to Mandalay, Where the flyin'-fishes play, An' the dawn comes up like thunder outer China 'crost the Bay!
- Rudyard Kipling
The orca is the largest member of the dolphin family, and is not really a whale. Due to its size, however, the orca is frequently included in discussions of whales.
