Multimillionaires band together in effort to save beached whale in Germany
Global News • • world
Key Points:
- A stranded 12-tonne humpback whale nicknamed "Timmy" has been stuck in shallow waters of the Baltic Sea near Germany's northern coast since early March, far from its natural habitat.
- Wealthy German donors, including electronics retailer founder Walter Gunz, have funded a last-ditch rescue mission involving inflatable air cushions and a tugboat to lift and transport Timmy back to deeper waters and eventually the Atlantic.
- Rescuers have faced challenges due to Timmy's weakened state, wounds, and the Baltic Sea's low salt content affecting its skin, with some experts warning that rescue attempts could further injure the whale.
- German authorities have approved the private rescue initiative, and live footage of the ongoing efforts, dubbed "Operation Cushion," has been widely broadcast.
- Environmental group Greenpeace criticized the rescue, citing low survival chances and high risks to the whale, while public interest remains high, highlighted by incidents such as a woman attempting to approach the whale closely.
