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Gravesend photographer captures ‘dolphins’ swimming in Thames near Gravesend town pier

By: Megan Carr mcarr@thekmgroup.co.uk

Published: 10:13, 18 June 2024

Updated: 12:28, 18 June 2024

The new resident “dolphins” of one riverside town have now been caught on camera putting on a display in the water.

Photographer Jason Arthur managed to snap a few playful shots and videos of the marine mammals riding the waves of the Thames in Gravesend, by the town pier.

However, this isn’t the first time he’s been able to take pictures of the majestic animals.

He first saw them on Sunday, June 9, and told KentOnline at the time that there were around three in the river and were thought to have been there for a few days.

It is not known yet if they’re dolphins or porpoises – both of which have previously been seen splashing around in the water near Gravesend and Northfleet.

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The two species are often mistaken for one another, however, there are a few differences in their faces, fins and body shapes.

Dolphins have longer snouts, bigger mouths, more curved fins and are longer and leaner than porpoises.

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The 'dolphins' playing in the Thames by the town pier in Gravesend. Picture: Jason Arthur
One of the dolphins photographed in GravesendPicture: Jason Arthur
The creatures put on a display in the town. Picture: Jason Arthur

In February, RNLI crews first thought they had seen a group of porpoises swimming towards their lifeboat in the River Thames, near Northfleet.

However, it was in fact a pod of dolphins.

Elsewhere in the county, the aquatic creatures have been caught playing in the River Medway, in the sea near the Folkestone Harbour Arm and near Sheerness.

Common dolphins can be found in waters all around the UK, but are more common to the southern and western coastal areas.

The 'dolphins' playing in the Thames by the town pier in Gravesend. Picture: Jason Arthur
They can be seen in the Thames near Gravesend pier. Picture: Jason Arthur

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