Rescue of humpback whale "Timmy" stalls amid rising Baltic tides
The fate of a humpback whale stranded near the northern German coast remains precarious. Despite slight movement overnight, the animal continues to struggle in shallow waters near the island of Poel.
The rescue operation, which has been in preparation for several days, now faces severe setbacks. Rising winds and a water level increase of 70 centimeters have disrupted the initial recovery strategy.
Strategic challenges and financial support
Walter Gunz, founder of MediaMarkt and a key financier of the operation, admitted that the plan is currently untenable. "Yesterday we had the necessary water levels; today they are too high," Gunz told reporters, noting that a miracle may now be required.
The original plan involved sliding specialized fabric beneath the whale and attaching it to pontoons for a slow tow toward the North Sea. Rescuers are now considering "Plan B," which relies on the whale freeing itself with minimal guidance from support vessels.
Conflicting expert opinions
Veterinarians on-site report encouraging signs, noting that Timmy’s deeper breathing indicates sustained strength. However, some scientists warn that active intervention could further distress the already weakened and disoriented mammal.
Lead veterinarian Janine Barr-van Gemmert dismissed external criticism. "Those skeptics have not seen the whale in situ. We are here, and we can see this is not a dying animal," she stated firmly.
A rare visitor in the Baltic
Humpback whales are rarely sighted in the Baltic Sea, where Timmy has been wandering since early March. The nation has followed the story closely as the whale has repeatedly grounded itself over the past three weeks.
Rescuers remain hopeful that Timmy will return to open waters. If successful, specialists plan to attach a GPS tracker to the whale to monitor its movements and prevent future strandings.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
