Dolphin which survived nine days in the Thames dies after becoming beached on shore at Wandsworth

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A dolphin that survived nine days on the River Thames has been found dead after getting beached on the foreshore. 

Twitter users filmed the Thames Dolphin at Putney and Wandsworth on October 30, while others claimed to have seen it in Hammersmith, Greenwich and Chiswick.

But the animal got into difficulty near Wandsworth Bridge and was found dead yesterday. 

The Thames Dolphin was spotted in Putney in south-west London on October 30 but found dead in Wandsworth yesterday

Tragic: The mammal died after becoming beached at the foreshore at Wandsworth yesterday. The Met Police's Marine Team fear there 'may be others' in the Thames

Wandsworth is approximately 40 miles from the mouth of Thames, meaning the sea mammal will have swum all that way before reaching the capital.

Michael White, a roofer at a building site near the Thames, saw the dolphin on Monday.

He told The Standard: 'We were at work just on the north side of Wandsworth Bridge and saw it beached on the bank' 

'I phoned a number given for stranded animals and reported what had happened. I explained to them that it was beached in shallow water. 

 'But they did not do anything about it so when we came back on Tuesday morning it was dead.'

The Metropolitan Police's marine team confirmed the dead animal was a dolphin in a tweet sent at 8am today. 

'Sad to tell you that a dead Common Dolphin was washed up on the foreshore at Wandsworth yesterday. 

'Our friends at ZSL Marine will carry out tests to determine why it was in fresh water. There may be others so keep an eye out & report any sightings.'  

Amy Clayfield posted a video of the Thames Dolphin on social media on October 30.

Londoners took to Twitter to express their delight and concern for the sea mammal, who was spotted swimming near Putney Bridge 

The 25-year-old told MailOnline: 'It was at about 2.45pm and I was stood on Putney Bridge with my girlfriend.

'I had just taken a photo of her and just as I took it I spotted a fin. I thought I was seeing things at first and she thought I was crazy! 

After spending half an hour in a nearby pub, the sea mammal was still there.

She added: 'When we left the pub, we then walked along the river and it appeared again, by this time there were people in small boats following it and taking photos.'

Tim Weisselberg uploaded a picture, saying: 'Just saw a dolphin (?) in the Thames by Putney Bridge. Very pointed dorsal fin, white underside.'

Amy Clayfield saw the animal on October 30, but others saw it swimming in Chiswick and Greenwich

Howard Adams was concerned the dolphin looked distressed, saying: 'There is a dolphin in the Thames. Putney Bridge London. Looks in distress. Downstream of bridge. 20 yards.'

At the time of the sighting, the RSPCA told MailOnline they were 'not concerned about it' as it was 'just swimming' and did not appear to be in any distress.

They added: 'It's not unheard of, but porpoises are more common in the Thames.

'This one is quite visible so people have been calling us about it.' 

The last time a dolphin was spotted in London was in Richmond upon Thames by Olympic swimmer Andy James.

Swimmer Andy James whipped out his camera phone when he saw a dolphin swimming in the Thames in Richmond on May 1

Posting a video of the finned animal on Twitter in May, the bronze medalist said: 'Ok .... you may all think I'm mad, but I just saw a Dolphin in the river Thames at Richmond.' 

Mr James, who won bronze at the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games, said the marine animal was travelling up the river from Twickenham before reaching boats moored near Richmond Bridge. 

Anyone who is concerned for the welfare of an animal should contact the RSPCA's 24-hour emergency hotline on 0300 1234 999 for help or advice. 

'Anyone with concerns regarding a specific marine animal can contact BDMLR directly on 01825 765546 or 07787 433412 (out of hours).