London's Canary Wharf is one of the UK's best places to spot seals
Hearing the name Canary Wharf generally conjures up images of the capital's business district but another reason to visit the east London neighbourhood has been revealed.
According to the results of a recent survey, they area is also especially popular with seals.
The sealife have been seen swimming in the Thames Estuary along with other underwater friends, including porpoises and dolphins.
See also: Friendly seal pups delight divers
According to the BBC, the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) have recorded 2,732 seals, 444 porpoises and dolphins and 49 whales in the river.
It certainly comes as a surprise given that the capital's famous river was declared 'biologically extinct' just 50 years ago thanks to its high levels of pollution.
Joanna Barker, ZSL's European conservation projects manager, said: "Many people looking into the Thames see a murky, dirty environment.
"But, actually, beneath the waves, it is full of life. We have a huge range of fish and invertebrates, and also top predators."
The Irish Examiner reports that the animals have been seen as far into central London as the Houses of Parliament, with dolphins spotted in Teddington Lock and seals in the waters near Hampton Court Palace.
The survey revealed the highest amount of marine animal sightings in the last ten years.
SNH warns that seals are wild animals and that they shouldn't be approached as they may bite.
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