A whale that was stranded in shallow waters off the coast of Germany has been successfully rescued by a specialized barge after being trapped for five weeks. The humpback whale, affectionately named “Timmy,” was stranded and entangled on Timmendorfer Beach in Lübeck Bay in the northern state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern on March 23, prompting a major rescue operation by local authorities.
The rescue efforts to free the mammal garnered significant national attention, as initial attempts to lure it back into the open sea proved unsuccessful. Entrepreneurs devised a plan to transport the whale to the North Sea via Denmark by enticing it onto a barge filled with water. Karin Walter-Mommert and Walter Gunz funded the operation, which successfully placed the whale on board the vessel for its journey to the open sea.
Environmental minister Till Backhaus of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern praised the operation as a success, highlighting it as an exemplary achievement for Germany. He anticipated that the whale would require a couple of days to reach the North Sea, expressing optimism for a smooth journey.
Following the successful operation, Karin Walter-Mommert expressed her joy, while Walter Gunz shared his relief during the barge’s transit through Danish waters towards the North Sea. Images captured during the operation showed the whale swimming in shallow water within its trailer as it was towed by another vessel.
Despite some experts expressing doubts and concerns about the rescue mission, a panel established by the International Whaling Commission cautioned that the whale’s chances of survival remained slim due to its deteriorating condition and history of re-stranding. The panel emphasized the need to focus on the whale’s welfare and discouraged exaggerated public expectations regarding the rescue efforts.
Rescue director Felix Bohnsack commended the collaborative efforts in rescuing the whale, noting the emotional moment when the whale entered its ocean enclosure. However, he cautioned that the whale still faced uncertainties even after being successfully relocated.