Members of the rescue team at the whale on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.Image: www.imago-images.de
A US veterinarian leaves the whale rescue on Poel – and makes serious allegations against two people involved. It’s about ego, bad decisions and the question of whether the effort still helps the animal.
April 22, 2026, 04:53April 22, 2026, 04:53
Anna-Lena Janzen / t-online
The US veterinarian Jenna Wallace left the whale rescue off the island of Poel on Monday and accuses two people involved of endangering the rescue of the humpback whale through their behavior. She had to choose between her job and the deployment and therefore left, she explained in a Facebook post.
Wallace emphasizes that she still sees a chance of survival for the whale “Hope” (he is called “Timmy” in the German-language media). At the same time, she describes massive conflicts within the team. Two men destroyed a “first, real chance for freedom”. She mentions by name “Sergio” and “Mr. First class».
According to research by several media outlets, including the “Ostsee-Zeitung”, these are the author Sergio Bambaren and the influencer Danny Hilse (“Denny Firstclass”). Both are part of the private rescue initiative.
Wallace describes that she ordered that the exhausted animal be given rest – but this was ignored. Instead, one of those involved repeatedly steered the whale towards shallower water.
Jenna Wallace: The vet who flew in from Hawaii has left the team.Image: instagram/jenna wallace
In her article, she describes the behavior of one of those involved as follows: He was “so busy filming himself, making phone calls, talking to Hope and looking him in the eyes that he did exactly the opposite of what Hope needed.” It goes on to say: “He almost ran over Timmy’s tail with the propeller of his boat.”
She makes specific allegations against “Sergio”. In retrospect, she harshly assesses an instruction not to go to the boats immediately: “That was a mistake! Sergio cost us this!” Basically, she formulates her criticism like this: “Animals don’t lie – people do” and “Animals before ego”.
Accusations against other people involved
The influencer Danny Hilse, who has around 71,000 subscribers on TikTok and says he is committed to animal protection, child protection and the fight against poverty, is also in the spotlight for other reasons.
According to research by the “Ostsee-Zeitung”, he previously acted as an organizer of demonstrations around the whale and moved in an environment that also included actors from the right-wing scene. “Bild” also reports on Hilse’s previous connections to the rocker milieu. He has not yet commented on the relevant allegations.
Fundamental criticism: “Animals before ego”
Karin Walter-Mommert clarified the reasons for Wallace’s departure in an interview with NDR. The veterinarian therefore only had a temporary permit to work on site. She was “only approved by the responsible ministry until Monday evening” and therefore had to leave.
At the same time, Walter-Mommert emphasizes the importance of helpers without special training. When asked why non-experts were also involved, she replied: “What qualifies helpers to help?” Many tasks are organizational – from setting up the infrastructure to supplying the team.
The co-initiator of the rescue operation rejected criticism of the influencer Hilse. “The man has an incredible bond with the whale. I believe that many actions would not have been possible if this man had not been at the whale.” She was positive about the fact that Hilse had developed a close bond with the animal: she personally considers this to be a great stroke of luck.
Regarding the allegations that Hilse filmed herself and misdirected the whale, she explains:
“We will of course process this with video material. We documented everything.”
The situation presented itself differently to her, but he received a reprimand and there were clear instructions that no one would film. In her view, friction within the team in such a stressful situation is not unusual: misunderstandings arise “where everyone has their job,” that is human.
Explanation of Bambaren Management
There was also a reaction from those around Sergio Bambaren. In a Facebook statement from its management it is said that they are in an “extraordinary situation” and that the team has been working under extreme conditions for days – “supported by a common goal: the well-being of Hope”.
It goes on to say: “Sergio Bambaren will not take part in public discussions. His focus is clear and unwavering: the best possible support for the whale.” “Since day one, he has been where he can have the most impact – in the water, right next to Hope.” He also trusts “in the power of the connection to the animal and in the expertise of the entire team.”
Rescue under pressure
The allegations hit an already tense environment. Several people involved had temporarily withdrawn, and a veterinarian had to go to the hospital after a medical emergency. Shortly after 4 p.m. on Tuesday, a rescue helicopter landed on the island of Poel to fly them to a special clinic.
Despite the conflicts, the rescue operation continues. Differences have been worked out internally and the team is continuing to work on getting the whale out of the shallow water towards the open sea, according to people close to the initiative.
Wallace described her farewell as emotional – she “cried so much” and will “carry the situation with guilt and sadness in her heart forever,” she writes, combining this with the hope that the whale will survive without her.
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