After weeks of drama, the stranded humpback whale nicknamed Timmy, whose fate has captivated Germany since late March, was released into the waters of the North Sea on Saturday morning.

Timmy reportedly swam out of the special transport barge filled with water on his own power. The 12-meter (almost 40-foot) young marine mammal survived a days-long journey from the German coast of the Baltic Sea, where previous rescue efforts had failed.

Activists hope Timmy will continue his journey towards the Atlantic Ocean. A member of the rescue team was quoted by the AFP news agency as saying the animal was, at least initially, heading in the right direction.

But despite arriving in the saltier, colder waters off northern Europe, the whale remains in danger, as his health deteriorated while he was stranded. Marine biologist Fabian Ritter told DW that rescuers needed to ensure Timmy could handle deep water before releasing him.

'Look, a whale that is immobile for several weeks, lying on the ground, he will suffer from muscle stiffness… he will not be in the immediate position to swim actively out of the barge and be free and happy,' Ritter said.

He warned that if smaller whales that have been stranded are not supported after refloating, they can sink and suffocate. Some environmental and animal rights activists criticized the latest rescue effort, arguing that the whale was too far gone and the transport would only cause more stress.

Source: www.dw.com