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Whale Spotted Swimming Through River Ouse in King's Lynn

Whale Spotted Swimming Through River Ouse in King's Lynn

It's thought the whale might have taken a wrong turn on its way back from its summer Arctic migration

Mischa Pearlmen

Mischa Pearlmen

A huge whale has been spotted swimming through the River Ouse in King's Lynn in England. Not exactly Finding Nemo, is it?

Crowds that had gathered to catch a glimpse of the gentle giant along the water's edge at Harding's Pit, which is near the town centre, initially thought it was a minke whale.

SWNS

Wildlife expert Carl Chapman, of Wildlife Tours and Education, said it was more likely to be a fin whale that had taken a wrong turn while on its way back from the Arctic, where they go to migrate for the summer.

Mr Chapman said it was also a possibility that the whale had come into the river to die, after a number of cuts were spotted on its back.

But it appeared to be swimming back out to sea, and there were fears the marine mammal could become stranded on the river banks.

Twitter users were understandably excited by the unusual visitor.

SWNS

One wrote: "There's a whale in the Ouse!!!! There's a whale swimming past King's Lynn!!!!!"

Another said: "I really hope the little whale in the Ouse finds safety and hasn't come here to die, poor little thing."

Meanwhile, Visit Norfolk grasped the opportunity for a bit of regional promotion.

"How exciting! A fin whale on the Great Ouse at King's Lynn this morning! Obviously keen to #VisitNorfolk - and who can blame it! Probably been looking at our What's On section," they wrote on Twitter.

Hang your heads in shame.

While the fate of the whale remains as yet unclear, the region does not have a great track record when it comes to whale visitors. A number of whales have washed up on the beaches at Hunstanton and Snettisham in recent winters, and all of them have died.

Well, best of luck to the latest visitor. If you're reading this, Ouse whale, in the immortal words of Dory from Finding Nemo: Just keep swimming. I take it back, it is like Finding Nemo.

Featured Image Credit: SWNS

Topics: UK News, Whale