Did you know that porpoises, seals and seahorses live in the Thames alongside cockney eels and smelt (the fish that smells of cucumber)?
Many of these amazing animals are born and raised in the river, or Mother Thames as we like to call her.
What may look like murky brown water is actually a river thriving with life, and ZSL is working to ensure it stays that way. Together with partners and volunteers we’re making great progress – from being declared biologically dead in the 1950s, the River Thames is now a hub of life thanks to dedicated conservation efforts.
The Thames needs all of us to ensure a future for its amazing wildlife. Join our #MotherThames campaign as we celebrate the secret wildlife in our capital city and work together to protect it.
We’d love to hear what #MotherThames means to you.
Share what you love about the River Thames - your thoughts, photos, drawings… anything you can think of – and join us in celebrating wonderful wildlife.
Share on social media using #MotherThames and tag us @officialZSL, or email us.
This free experience takes you on a journey below the surface of London's great river. Step up to our VR portal, put on your swim goggles and 'dive' into the Thames.
As you explore, you'll join ZSL's conservation team in discovering the incredible wildlife that lives below the surface. Every experience is different, so challenge your friends and family to see who can discover the most species. Make sure to keep an eye out for some surprises along the way!
Find the experience on the bank of the Thames outside One London Bridge. Just 5 minutes' walk from London Bridge station.
This experience is free and open to all. As a charity, we rely on donations for our wildlife-saving work. If you would like to support us there is a contactless card donation point at the experience, and all donations are greatly appreciated!
ZSL's Thames virtual reality experience, the first of its kind in the UK, was created by BYO and Somewhere Else using Timescope technology. The VR experience was supported by the Royal Bank of Canada.
We’d love to hear what #MotherThames means to you.
Share what you love about the River Thames - your thoughts, photos, drawings… anything you can think of – and join us in celebrating wonderful wildlife.
Share on social media using #MotherThames and tag us @officialZSL, or email us.
From helping monitor wildlife to simply buying a re-usable drinking bottle – there are so many ways that together we can protect this precious habitat for the future.
We rely on donations for our conservation work.
Whether you can help for a few hours, days or months, there are a number of projects for you to get involved with throughout the year.
Plastic waste often ends up in waterways such as the River Thames, where it’s harmful to wildlife.
Report your seal, porpoise and dolphin sightings and help us protect them.
We’d love to hear what #MotherThames means to you.
Share what you love about the River Thames - your thoughts, photos, drawings… anything you can think of – and join us in celebrating wonderful wildlife.
Share on social media using #MotherThames and tag us @officialZSL, or email us.
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