After the failed rescue of the stranded whale on the Baltic Sea coast, those involved are increasingly hostile, according to Environment Minister Till Backhaus. There are even death threats.
April 3, 2026, 5:48 p.mApril 3, 2026, 5:48 p.m
Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania’s Environment Minister Till Backhaus (SPD) does not want to accept the verbal attacks on the stranded whale’s helpers. “Unfortunately, since it became clear that the animal could not be saved, hostility towards those involved in the relief measure has increased – even including death threats,” he said, according to a statement. “Of course I understand that the situation is very emotional for people,” continued Backhaus. He is also sad. “But I don’t accept that employees are also threatened in private.”
The whale can probably no longer be saved: a very emotional topic.Image: keystone
If criminally relevant statements were made, whether on social media, on a note in the mailbox or by email, they would indicate such behavior, said Backhaus. But he is confident that the situation will calm down.
In the morning, fire brigade crews began pouring water on the humpback whale that was stranded on the Baltic Sea coast off Wismar. This was confirmed by a spokesman for the Interior Ministry. The experts recommended the aid operation in order to create alleviating circumstances for the whale. “We will continue to accompany the animal – until the end. In order to make his situation more comfortable, work began today to wet the back of the whale that sticks out of the water,” said Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania’s Environment Minister Till Backhaus (SPD). “The process should be repeated every two to three hours.”
A police rubber dinghy was also in use near the whale, as a dpa reporter reported on site.
The whale has grown dear to people’s hearts and its fate moves them.Image: www.imago-images.de
According to the water police and Greenpeace, the condition of the whale is unchanged. The rescue attempts were stopped on Wednesday. According to local experts and marine conservationists, the animal will probably die in this bay. According to experts, it is impossible to predict how long it will survive. On Thursday morning, a survey boat explored the whale’s surroundings to prepare for a possible recovery of the humpback whale. (dpa/aargauerzeitung.ch/fwa)