04/16/2026, 09:03April 16, 2026, 9:29 a.m
The new rescue attempt for the humpback whale stranded off the German Baltic Sea coast is scheduled to begin on Thursday. An overview of the planned measures:
The rescue operation live
The campaign has been running since 8 a.m. In the best case scenario, Timmy can be transported away on Friday morning. Here you will receive ongoing updates about the rescue operation.
How will Timmy be saved?
A rescue concept is planned that involves retrieving the whale alive and bringing it to the North Sea and, if necessary, the Atlantic. The area under the whale’s pectoral fins, the flippers, should first be washed free. Divers will be deployed for this purpose on Thursday from 8 a.m.
The fate of whale Timmy moves Germany.Image: keystone
The animal should then be lifted using air cushions and a tarpaulin placed under the animal. The whale will then be transported away on Friday morning on this tarpaulin stretched between two pontoons. A tug is supposed to pull the two pontoons. To his knowledge, this ambitious project is unique in its form, said Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania’s Environment Minister Till Backhaus.
Who is behind the project?
The concept is to be implemented by a private initiative, which, according to the Environment Ministry of the state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, is responsible for the campaign. In addition to Mediamarkt founder Walter Gunz, the entrepreneur Karin Walter-Mommert, who is known from equestrian sports, is behind the concept.
Backhaus emphasized that responsibility for the campaign lies entirely with the initiators, including financially. “They have completely exempted our house.”
What are the whale’s chances of survival?
This is difficult to promise. However, the whale’s health is not particularly good. “He’s not active, he’s certainly not agile, but he shows that there’s still life in it,” said Backhaus. “He’s definitely got serious damage, that’s the way it is.” But perhaps the rescue can still be achieved.
Timmy’s health is not good.Image: keystone
Those responsible are also aware that it will be difficult. Without the action, the whale will die in any case, Mediamarkt founder Gunz told the German Press Agency (dpa). And further:
“If you try something, then you at least have a chance of saving him.”
What had happened before?
The fate of the humpback whale stranded off the city of Wismar has been affecting many people for weeks. The humpback whale has been lying in about 1.50 meters of water off Poel since March 31st.
Finally, everything looked like the whale’s journey would end off the island of Poel. Experts had explained that the sick and weakened animal could not be helped in any meaningful way. It was best to let him die in peace and dignity. At a press conference in Schwerin on Wednesday, Backhaus announced a U-turn.
He therefore gave the green light for a rescue concept that envisages recovering the whale alive and bringing it to the North Sea and, if necessary, the Atlantic. “In this respect, a new situation is now occurring,” said Backhaus. He is still cautious, but “pretty happy”.
(dab/leo/sda/dpa)