Rescuers in Germany have released a young humpback whale, nicknamed Timmy or Hope, into the North Sea off Denmark after it became stranded in shallow waters near Lübeck nearly six weeks ago. The 10-metre calf was transported by a water-filled barge and swam out freely, later observed blowing through its blowhole and swimming in what was described as 'the right direction'.
The rescue operation, funded by two multimillionaires, went ahead despite criticism from the International Whaling Commission (IWC), which deemed it 'inadvisable' due to the whale's poor health. Experts from the Oceanographic Museum in Stralsund recommended leaving the animal to die, with director Burkard Baschek calling the attempt 'pure animal cruelty'.
The whale was described as lethargic, covered in blister-like blemishes, and with parts of its mouth believed caught in a fishing net. Initial rescue efforts using inflatable cushions and pontoons failed, but divers eventually guided the creature onto a flooded barge, watched by hundreds of onlookers.
Karin Walter-Mommert from the rescue initiative confirmed the whale left the barge at about 8.45am local time and is now swimming freely. The calf has been fitted with a tracker, and Till Backhaus, environment minister for Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, expressed hope for a 'happy end'.
In Germany, the whale's plight garnered national attention, inspiring whale-shaped cakes, songs, and tattoos. However, the Danish environment ministry has stated it will not rescue the whale if it becomes stranded again, describing beaching as a 'completely natural phenomenon'.
