The humpback whale known as Timmy, which captured international attention after repeated beachings on the German Baltic coast, was found dead on May 14 near the Danish island of Anholt.
Discovery of the carcass
The body of the humpback whale was discovered on May 14 in the Kattegat Strait, near the island of Anholt. Authorities in Denmark confirmed the identity of the animal, also known as Hope, by locating a transmitter on its fin after the carcass washed ashore.
A failed rescue operation
On May 2, the whale was transported by a special barge to be released toward the North Sea. The operation, privately funded by Karin Walter-Mommert and MediaMarkt co-founder Walter Gunz, faced criticism from the start.
Biologists and organizations, including the International Whaling Commission, warned that a weakened, sick, or disoriented whale would likely not survive. The director of the German Oceanographic Museum had previously labeled the rescue attempt as pure cruelty, noting the animal likely suffered from stiffened muscles due to its prolonged immobilization.
Danish government stance
The Danish Ministry of Environment had previously stated that if the animal beached again, no further attempts to free it would be made. The authorities maintained that whales in such a state should not be subjected to further human intervention or distress.
Post-mortem investigation
Danish and German institutions are working to determine the cause of death after collecting tissue samples from the whale. While no official cause has been confirmed, experts suggest the animal’s prior exhaustion, repeated beachings, and the stress of the complex transport significantly reduced its chances of survival.
