Timmy, the whale stranded off Germany's coast, swims off and gets stuck...again
Euronews.com • • world
Key Points:
- A 13.5-meter humpback whale stranded for weeks on Germany's Baltic Sea coast has complicated rescue efforts after it unexpectedly swam away but then became stuck again near the island of Poel.
- Rescuers had planned to lift the whale using inflatable cushions and transport it back to the North Sea or Atlantic Ocean with pontoons, but the whale's recent movement indicates it is still relatively healthy.
- The whale, affectionately nicknamed "Timmy" by the German public, was first spotted stuck on 23 March and has repeatedly freed itself only to become stranded again.
- Despite earlier beliefs that the injured whale would not survive, local authorities recently approved a last-ditch rescue attempt initiated by two entrepreneurs, including the founder of MediaMarkt.
- Environment Minister Till Backhaus stated the whale was not fully stranded during its latest episode but was "resting," and rescuers plan to continue their efforts.
