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Humpback Whale ‘Timmy’ Released Into North Sea After Weeks Stranded Off Germany

Its fate now hinges on tracker data about feeding success.

Overview

  • Timmy, a humpback stuck for weeks in shallow Baltic waters, was released Saturday into the North Sea about 70 kilometers north of Skagen, Denmark.
  • Rescuers said the whale left the barge under its own power and moved in the right direction toward open waters.
  • The team transported the animal on a barge configured as a floating dock, using an improvised harness and continuous veterinary oversight.
  • Regional officials approved a privately funded plan led by Walter Gunz and Karin Walter‑Mommert, with costs reported at more than €1.5 million.
  • Veterinarians treated a serious skin condition linked to the Baltic’s low salinity, and a GPS transmitter now tracks the whale as experts warn that survival depends on its ability to orient and find food.