A major rescue attempt has started to save Timmy, a young humpback whale stranded in shallow waters off Germany’s Baltic coast.
UPDATE May 2
Whale Timmy has been released into the North Sea and is being tracked. The young humpback whale had been unable to swim freely for more than a month while stranded in shallow waters. This may have weakened his muscles.
What happens next will depend on whether he can regain enough strength to swim and survive in open sea conditions.
UPDATE April 30
The boat has now reached the Kattegat, the sea area between Denmark and Sweden, as it continues its journey to the North Sea.
Kirsten Tönnies, one of the veterinarians involved in the rescue, said in a video that “Timmy wants to live.”
The rescue will now entered a critical final phase. Weather conditions have been favourable so far, but rougher seas are expected from tomorrow, which could make the journey more difficult.
A GPS tracking device will be placed on the whale so experts can follow his movements after release.
The coming days are seen as decisive. Once released in the North Sea, Timmy will still need enough strength to swim on to the Atlantic Ocean.
Update April 29
“He is doing great,” says American veterinarian Jenna Wallace, who was part of the rescue team. She shared a video update on Instagram as the whale continues his journey to the North Sea.
UPDATE 29 april
The humpback whale, is still being transported towards the North Sea on a water-filled barge. There have been no official updates on the whale’s health.
The rescue convoy is being followed by live cameras, and the vessel’s route can also be tracked online. The tugboat Robin Hood is towing the barge.
The transport is expected to take several days as the vessel moves slowly to reduce stress and risk to the animal. The convoy is now moving through areas with more ships and boat traffic.
UPDATE April 28
Rescue teams have successfully moved Timmy onto a special water-filled barge. The whale is now being transported towards the North Sea. The journey is expected to cover around 400 kilometres, which could take about 3 to 4 days.
The whale has been stuck near the island of Poel, close to the city of Wismar, for about four weeks. During this time, Timmy has repeatedly become stranded on sandbanks.
Experts believe the animal may be sick or confused, as humpback whales usually avoid the Baltic Sea because of its low salt levels.
On Tuesday, a private rescue team began an operation to move the whale. The plan is to guide Timmy through a newly dug channel and lift him onto a large, water-filled transport barge. From there, he would be taken to deeper waters in the North Sea.
The rescue is funded by two wealthy individuals, including one linked to a large electronics company. The total cost of the operation has not been made public.
However, scientists from the German Oceanographic Museum have warned that the rescue has a low chance of success. They say the whale is already in poor health and the process could cause serious stress, injury, and high noise levels inside the barge.
Public opinion has been divided. Some people have called for stronger action, including euthanasia, to prevent further suffering. Others support the rescue attempt and have even camped near the site to follow the situation closely.
Humpback whales were once hunted close to extinction but have recovered in many parts of the world. While the species is no longer considered endangered globally, some populations are still at risk.
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