NDR reported new injuries to a humpback whale stranded in Germany
Experts have discovered new damage to a humpback whale that has been unable to get out of shallow water off the coast of the Baltic Sea in Germany for several days. This was reported on April 5 by NDR broadcasting company.
"Due to the decrease in the water level, other injuries became visible (on the body. — Ed.) whales that could not have been noticed before. <...> They could probably have been inflicted by a ship's propeller," the article notes.
The whale has been in the bay off the island of Poel, north of Wismar, since March 31. Experts believe that the chances of his survival are extremely low. Local authorities have already begun preparations for the removal of the carcass. Despite its serious condition, the mammal continues to breathe and make sounds.
On-site specialists are watering the whale with water to alleviate its suffering. The Minister of the Environment of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Till Backhaus, said that the issue of euthanizing the animal was not being considered, although residents of the region had previously called for euthanasia if the whale could not be saved.
The return of Timmy the whale to the Wismar Bay was reported on March 31 by the Bild newspaper. According to the newspaper, the whale is probably swimming freely in the bay.
Holger Kraus, Senior Commissioner of the Wismar Water Police, said on March 29 that the whale was likely to die. He said that he had already dealt with several whales of similar size and none of them managed to survive. It is noted that he and his colleagues intend to try to do everything necessary for his return to the Atlantic Ocean, assuming that this time the actions taken may be effective.
The humpback whale, which was rescued by the German services for about four days in the Baltic Sea, got stuck in shallow water again on March 28. As Bild pointed out, the police and the animal welfare service have already moved to the site. The Coast Guard patrols the waters of the bay in search of other individuals. Last time, on March 23, the German special services deployed two excavators to rescue the whale. A chute was dug next to the whale, thanks to which he was able to sail out to sea on March 27.
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