Fresh rescue attempt for stranded German whale

23.04.2026 13:35

Germany scraps rescue plan for stranded humpback whale.

1news.media informs, citing Dpa International, authorities in Germany have abandoned plans to refloat a stranded humpback whale near Poel, saying the strategy must be revised.

The 12-metre-long male whale, nicknamed Timmy by German media, remains stuck off the small island of Poel near the town of Wismar. Environment Minister Till Backhaus said earlier proposals to lift the whale were not an option.

Experts from the International Whaling Commission recommend a palliative approach, warning that active rescue efforts could fail and pose risks.

The whale has been stranded since March 31 after repeatedly running aground along the Baltic coast.

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Rescuers in Germany are preparing a new attempt on Tuesday to free a humpback whale that has been stranded off the Baltic Sea coast for several weeks.

A private initiative supported by wealthy donors has taken over coordination of the latest rescue effort after earlier attempts by authorities failed. The plan involves using straps to guide the roughly 12-ton whale through a dredged channel to a transport barge, which would then tow it towards the North Sea.

Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Environment Minister Till Backhaus said the regional government has approved the operation. He added that veterinarians involved in the private initiative assessed the whale as being in sufficient condition to be transported.

The humpback whale is estimated to be between four and six years old and has run aground five times in total.