Following over a week of high drama on the Baltic coast of northern Germany, local authorities have decided to cease rescue attempts for a humpback whale. At a press conference, Till Backhaus, environment minister for the state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, announced that the whale's current condition is extremely critical, and no further assistance is possible. The whale is lying in shallow waters off the island of Poel, showing very weak and irregular breathing, with minimal movement.

Rescue expert Burkard Baschek echoed Backhaus's statement, emphasizing that all efforts have been exhausted, and there is no hope for the animal's survival. He noted that attempts to encourage the whale to move would only increase its suffering, as it no longer has the strength. Baschek stated that out of "respect for nature," rescuers have decided "at some point we must let it go."

This young male humpback whale, native to the North Atlantic and estimated to be 12-15 meters long, has been wandering the Baltic Sea for about four weeks. It first stranded on March 23 at Timmendorf Beach, was freed using excavators and dredges, but later became stuck again in Wismar Bay. Dubbed "Timmy" by German media, the whale is suffering from severe skin problems due to low salinity and still has remnants of fishing nets in its mouth.

Authorities have established a restricted zone around the whale to allow it to "die in peace." If the whale passes away, its body will be taken to the German Oceanographic Museum to investigate the cause of death. This incident raises serious questions about ecological challenges in the Baltic Sea and the difficulties in wildlife rescue operations.

Source: www.dw.com