Germany Launches Rescue for Stranded Humpback Whale

Rescuers in Germany launched a complex operation Thursday to save a weakened humpback whale that has been stranded in shallow waters of the Baltic Sea near the town of Wismar, capturing national and international attention for weeks. The 13.5-meter-long mammal, weighing about 12 tonnes and nicknamed Timmy by local media, first appeared in the region on March 23 near Lübeck, far from its natural Atlantic Ocean habitat, and has repeatedly become trapped on sandbanks despite earlier efforts to free it.

The whale's plight began when it was spotted in the low-salinity Baltic Sea, an environment unsuitable for the species that has led to a deteriorating skin condition and other injuries. Experts believe Timmy may have strayed while pursuing food or during migration, though the exact cause remains unclear. It became entangled in fishing nets before running aground, suffering possible internal damage from its body weight and signs of trauma that could stem from a ship propeller strike. After briefly freeing itself multiple times, the animal has grown increasingly inactive, lying motionless for days and breathing heavily.

Initial rescue attempts, including the use of excavators to dig...