Is this a shark in the THAMES? Woman films '5ft finned creature' swimming through London's river
Written by Frankie Elliott for Mail Online
Posted: 10:47 AM EST, July 25, 2024 | Revised: 11:26 AM EST, July 25, 2024
A surprised woman said she recorded a video of a 'shark' swimming in the River Thames.
Charlotte Webb, a 25-year-old woman, and her friend Olivia Kaliszewska were strolling along Hammersmith Bridge in west London when they spotted something out of the ordinary in the river.
They were able to record a video of a fin moving through the shining water.
At first, they thought they saw a bean bag floating in the river in the city. Now, they are convinced that what they actually saw was a creature with a 5-foot fin.
The fin is believed to belong to a tope shark - a species that is in critical danger of extinction and can reach a maximum length of 6 feet and 3 inches.
In 2021, a study conducted by the Zoological Society of London discovered that the River Thames harbored a variety of shark species, including tope, starry smooth hound, and spurdog.
While strolling through London, 25-year-old Charlotte Webb and her friend Olivia Kaliszewska spotted something out of the ordinary in the water.
They were able to record video of what seems to be a fin cutting through the shiny water.
Ms Webb was surprised to see sharks swimming in the Thames River. She initially thought it was fake or just a bean bag floating in the water.
River Thames Wildlife: A Guide
My good friend Olivia assured me that it couldn't possibly be a shark and playfully suggested it might be a crocodile instead.
It appeared to be approximately 5 feet in length, leading many to believe it was a tope shark based on the comments.
I really can't stand sharks, so that just solidified my choice to never swim in the ocean again.
We continued enjoying our sweet potato fries and decided it would be amusing to post it on the internet.
If Ms. Webb truly spotted a Tope Shark, she and other residents of London will be glad to know that they pose no threat to humans.
The elongated and slim animals can be seen along the coastlines of the UK, with a higher concentration in the Southern and Western regions. These creatures can be recognized by their gray top side and a white underside. They also have two fins on their back and a unique tail with a noticeable notch.
There is no evidence to suggest that Tope sharks have ever attacked humans without being provoked, as they primarily feed on different types of fish.
A representative from the London Wildlife Trust mentioned that the sighting of a rare and endangered fish in the tidal Thames is extraordinary and not often seen. This fish is one of five small shark species that inhabit the area.
These fish are not dangerous to humans, but it is sad that many people are afraid of them. They have been around for a very long time, evolving 450 million years ago. They play a crucial role in marine ecosystems, but they are facing serious dangers from being hunted and exploited worldwide.
The Tope Sharks, which are slim and lengthy in shape, can be spotted all along the coasts of the UK. They are usually seen more frequently in the South and West regions. These sharks are recognizable by their gray top and white underbelly.
The London Wildlife Trust is working to protect endangered marine species in British waters, such as the basking shark, which feeds on plankton and is the second largest fish in the world. These majestic creatures are mainly found along the western coast of the UK.
Following the posting of Ms. Webb's video on social media on Monday, several users remarked that it bore resemblance to the terrifying Netflix movie Under Paris.
The French movie, directed by Xavier Gens, tells the story of Sophia (Bérénice Bejo), a woman who has a job studying marine life.
Sophia spent five years searching for the shark that brutally attacked and killed one of her colleagues.
She struggles to find success in her efforts until environmental advocate Mika (played by Léa Léviant) discovers the shark swimming in the Seine river just days before the World Triathlon Championships scheduled to happen in Paris.
Sophia, Mika, and police officer Adil (played by Nassim Lyes) teamed up to defeat the monster.
The movie received negative reviews from critics and currently has a mediocre 63 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes' Tomatometer, as well as a disappointing 31 percent audience score.
