The stranded humpback whale known as Timmy has become immobilized again in the shallow waters off Poel Island in the Baltic Sea, despite brief signs of mobility overnight, as rescuers confront worsening conditions and internal strain within the volunteer team.
Environmental Minister Tobias Backhaus confirmed that while Timmy remains in a critical condition, his breathing has slowed and he appears to be resting, though no independent veterinary assessment has been conducted. The whale showed limited movement early this morning after floating freely in the Wismar Bay overnight, but has since settled on a sandbank where falling water levels pose an immediate threat to his survival.
Rescue divers are working to clear sand from beneath the whale’s body using a Seascooter provided by the DLRG, which previously created 40 to 50 centimeters of additional water depth. Simultaneously, teams are flushing the area with hoses to maintain mobility and prevent further sedimentation, while preparing a work platform closer to the animal for potential use of heavy machinery.
Backhaus announced that the private rescue initiative will attempt to feed Timmy a diet of herring and shrimp to sustain his energy, though the use of straps or harnesses to guide the whale has been rejected on animal welfare grounds to avoid unnecessary stress or injury.
The effort is increasingly strained by the departure of key specialists, including Hawaiian veterinarian Jenna Wallace, who left overnight, leaving the team reliant on remote consultation. Backhaus acknowledged growing fatigue among volunteers, with Gunz describing an “enormous burden” on the crew as more helpers withdraw from the operation.
For more on this story, see Humpback Whale Timmy Stranded Again in Baltic Sea Near Poel Island as Rescue Efforts Stall.
Plans to transport Timmy via a custom-built sled to the North Sea remain under discussion, but the operation has been delayed, with officials confirming that no relocation will occur today. A 500-meter exclusion zone around the whale has been adjusted based on a new reference point, while marine biologist Boris Culik warned that the dropping tide significantly increases the risk of fatal compression or suffocation.
Criticism has mounted from figures like Robert Marc Lehmann, who accused the rescue of procedural errors and delayed action, claims echoed by a spokesperson who leveled serious allegations against the operation’s leadership. Despite a 40-person international team standing by, experts remain divided, with some estimating Timmy’s chances of survival at roughly fifty-fifty.
This follows our earlier report, Private rescue team stalled in effort to free humpback whale Timmy off Poel Island in Baltic Sea.
Livestream footage from News5 shows two helpers in the water at 11:05 a.m., one keeping the whale’s skin moist while the other uses a hose to clear sand from beneath his body, as a drone is prepared to improve aerial surveillance of the shifting situation.
Why has the rescue been delayed today?
Officials stated that the privately led rescue attempt, originally scheduled for today, has been postponed due to evolving conditions and team readiness, with no transport planned for the day.
What are the main risks facing Timmy right now?
The primary dangers include falling water levels that could exit the whale stranded on sand, potential suffocation from sediment buildup, and physical exhaustion, all exacerbated by the lack of direct veterinary oversight and increasing strain on the volunteer rescue team.
