Exclusion zone to keep boats clear of Benny the beluga

WHALEWATCHERS have been warned not to approach Benny the beluga whale by boat.

His surprise appearance in the Thames estuary is expected to draw crowds of sightseers this weekend. But anyone who tries to get too close has been given a stern warning that they will be intercepted by a patrol boat.

Yesterday the Port of London Authority said it will impose a 100-metre restriction area on non-essential vessels from travelling close to the whale who has been surfacing in the river near Gravesend since Tuesday.

There are fears onlookers heading to Gravesend could disturb the beluga if they venture on to the river by boat.

So far Benny, who is snowy white with a distinctive domed forehead, seems healthy.

Some fear there may be something wrong with his navigational abilities as he is so far from where he would normally be found, in Arctic waters.

Experts from British Divers Marine Life Rescue have been monitoring Benny, who could stay in the Thames for months.

Port of London Authority spokesman Martin Garside said: ‘What we do not want is people coming out at the weekend on a boat. That is a recipe for things going wrong.’

‘Recipe for things going wrong’