Mecklenburg-Vorpommern's Environment Minister defended a controversial initiative to tow a stranded humpback whale to the North Sea, stating he recognized the animal's will to live and that no harm was done within German waters. He denied political motivations despite an upcoming election.
Mecklenburg-Vorpommern's Environment Minister Till Backhaus defended his role in a failed whale rescue, stating he acted responsibly and that the animal deserved a chance. He dismissed claims of succumbing to public pressure or election influence.
German authorities defended a costly rescue attempt for a stranded humpback whale named Timmy, despite experts deeming it inadvisable. The whale died two weeks after the rescue, and its carcass was later found in Danish waters.
A humpback whale, nicknamed 'Timmy' and 'Hope', found deceased off Denmark's Anholt island has been identified as the same animal rescued two weeks prior after repeatedly stranding itself on Germany's Baltic Sea coast. Danish authorities confirmed its identity via a tracking device.
A humpback whale, nicknamed "Timmy," that was rescued in Germany two weeks ago after beaching itself, has been found dead near the Danish island of Anholt. Officials confirmed the identity using a tracking device attached during the rescue.
A humpback whale, previously rescued in a controversial effort off Germany's coast, has been found dead near the Danish island of Anholt. Authorities confirmed the identity using a tracking device.
A humpback whale stranded for 29 days in shallow waters off Germany's Baltic Sea coast has been rescued via barge, en route to the North Sea. The operation, funded by two entrepreneurs and led by Mecklenburg-Vorpommern's environment minister Till Backhaus, successfully moved the whale from near the island of Poel. Marine experts remain divided on the whale's survival chances, with skin damage from low-salinity waters and unprecedented rescue methods raising concerns.
As thousands of whales begin their annual northern migration up the east coast of Australia, teams of specialist rescuers are preparing to help them along the way.
