The minke whale calf stranded in the Thames hadn't eaten for days and was malnourished at the time of its death, the first results from a post-mortem by scientists at the Zoological Society of London (ZSL).

The post-mortem is still in progress and samples collected during the examination are due to be tested, which could reveal why the whale swam up the Thames to the Lock.

The whale had to be put down after it became stuck by a river wall.

Teddington RNLI helped move the whale's body to Whipsnade Zoo where scientists and vets from the RSL's Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme (CSIP) are now conducting the post-mortem.

A spokesperson for the ZSL said: "ZSL (Zoological Society of London) vets and scientists worked closely with British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) to assess and monitor the health and condition of the minke whale calf that sadly stranded in the Thames.

"After attempts to refloat the whale, the marine mammal experts collectively agreed that the calf was too unwell for any further rescue attempts to be successful, and that the kindest option was to euthanise the calf to prevent any further suffering.

"On Tuesday 11 May scientists and vets from ZSL conducted a post-mortem examination on the minke whale which sadly stranded in the Thames.

"Initial findings suggest the whale hadn't eaten for days and was malnourished.

"Additional conclusions about why the whale swam into the river may be possible once samples collected during the examination have been further analysed.

"The ZSL-led Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme (CSIP) coordinates the investigation of all cetaceans, marine turtles and basking sharks that strand around the UK coastline."

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