Humpback whale Timmy finally released into the North Sea. But surviving will be difficult for him
The prolonged rescue operation to save the humpback whale named Timmy has finally concluded. On the morning of May 2, the animal was released into the North Sea, reports Euronews.
Screenshot from video
Earlier, the whale was removed from the shallow bay of the Baltic Sea near the German island of Poel. After that, it was transported by barge for several days to return it to a more suitable environment.
According to Jens Schwark, a representative of the private rescue organization, around 9 AM on May 2, the whale was no longer on the barge, indicating its release.
According to initial information, the tugboat captain ordered the animal to be released. However, the whale was probably released in a different location than originally planned. Instead, it was released approximately 70 kilometers north of Skagen, Denmark.
Greenpeace representatives noted that this is a busy shipping route, so it is still unknown whether the animal will be able to survive safely in such conditions. A transmitter was installed on the whale to track its fate, but no signal has been received from it yet.
On Friday, May 1, transportation was temporarily delayed due to bad weather. With winds up to 6 Beaufort on the passage between the Baltic and North Seas, waves reached one and a half meters, which was dangerous for the barge.
Later in the evening, the situation improved. Around 7:20 PM, the humpback whale approached the barge's ramp on its own and purposefully.
Timmy was first spotted on March 23 near the German Baltic coast — far from its natural habitat. It is believed to have gotten entangled in fishing nets. Several attempts were made to help it move from the shallows and return to the ocean, but without success. The animal had already been given up on and left to its fate, but then two German multi-millionaires agreed to finance the rescue operation, and it resumed.
However, biologists doubt that after a long stay in shallow waters, the whale will be able to swim and feed normally. Its further fate remains uncertain.
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