After a private rescue operation, humpback whale Timmy was released into the North Sea on Saturday, initially swimming towards the Arctic.
Whale Heads Towards Arctic
Organizers state the humpback is now heading along the Norwegian coast towards the Arctic. Minor injuries were observed after the release, likely sustained during transport on rough seas, according to Karin Walter-Mommert.
She added that the injuries appear superficial.
Rescue or “Pure Cruelty”?
The humpback had been on a flooded barge since Tuesday, transported from the German coast to the North Sea. The whale rested on a sandy base with a sunshade installed on the barge and was equipped with a GPS tracker for monitoring.
Controversy Surrounds Release
The International Whaling Commission opposed the release, believing the weakened Timmy was unlikely to survive. The director of the German Oceanographic Museum also deemed the rescue attempt “pure cruelty.”
Expert Concerns Over Whale’s Condition
Marine biologist Fabian Ritter, writing in Deutsche Welle, explained that a whale immobilized for weeks may have stiff muscles and difficulty swimming. He emphasized the need to secure smaller whales returning to deep water to ensure they can swim naturally, or they risk drowning.
Danish Authorities Will Not Intervene
Timmy was released approximately 70 km off the Danish coast. The Danish Ministry of Environment announced that if the whale strands again, no rescue attempts will be made, believing whales in such situations should not be “saved and disturbed by human intervention.”
Privately Funded Rescue Operation
The operation was organized by a private initiative funded by Karin Walter-Mommert and Walter Gunz, co-founder of MediaMarkt. Authorities in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern approved the action, which had been followed by the public across Germany.
Repeated Strandings Prior to Rescue
The whale was first spotted on the night of March 22-23 near Timmendorfer Strand, initially freeing itself after stranding. However, it repeatedly became stuck on local shallows, becoming increasingly weakened and facing death.
Baltic Sea Not Suitable Habitat
Timmy weighs approximately 12 tons. Experts note that while whale sightings, including humpbacks, are increasing in the Baltic Sea, it is not a suitable environment due to shallow waters, low salinity, limited food sources, and human activity.
Edited by
Wiktoria Beczek