Sadly, as is the case with many stranded whales and dolphins, a combination of factors was likely to be the cause of death. Those factors include severe dehydration, some muscle damage, and reduction in kidney function. The animal, once entering the North Sea, would not have been able to feed, and this is the likely cause of the dehydration.

When she entered the North Sea, she was probably a very fit and healthy whale. The ultimate cause of death is believed to be the result of a combination of factors including severe dehydration, some muscle damage and reduction of kidney function.

We were very worried about its condition, as its respiratory rate was too high. Unfortunately it did deteriorate very quickly.

There are probably many children who may remember seeing this bottle-nosed whale in London and in the future I hope that they may become marine mammal enthusiasts and conservationists.

Northern bottlenose whales normally feed on deep-water squid in the Atlantic Ocean. This animal would not have been able to feed while in the North Sea and so would have become dehydrated.

The Thames whale has demonstrated the tremendous interest and wonder expressed in whales and dolphins by the global public, and hopefully highlights the need and desire to conserve wildlife species in general.

Hopefully this highlights the need and desire to conserve whale species in general.

When I was actually drawing the lethal injection, she died.