Marine experts have criticised a privately funded €1.5m operation to rescue a humpback whale stranded off Germany's Baltic coast, after it emerged that a tracker fitted to the animal was not working. The young male whale, nicknamed Timmy, was released into waters off Denmark three days ago, but its whereabouts and health remain unknown.
The rescue was funded in part by Karin Walter-Mommert, a major racehorse owner, who confirmed on Tuesday that the tracker had failed. The device was also supposed to transmit vital signs, a claim disputed by some experts and Greenpeace. The whale was first spotted stuck on a sandbank near Lübeck on 23 March, and became stranded repeatedly near Wismar, with failed coaxing efforts livestreamed globally.
Whale researcher Fabian Ritter described the situation as an 'all-round catastrophe' if the tracker yielded no information. The German Oceanographic Museum in Stralsund said the whale was 'highly likely' dead and called for data release to assess the operation. Its scientists had opposed the rescue from the start, calling it animal cruelty.
Danish marine biologist Peter Madsen said the lack of data was 'very strange and unprofessional', with data apparently guarded by a small group including the initiators and the state environment ministry. The ministry said it was still waiting for data from the private initiative. Confusion also surrounds the release: vet Kirsten Tönnies was barred from witnessing the final release and disagreed with the whale being released backwards without a medical all-clear.
Walter-Mommert and co-financier Walter Gunz distanced themselves from the manner of release, calling for consequences to be borne by the ship's owner, operators and crew. The ship's tracking signal appears to have been switched off. Danish authorities had said they would not attempt further rescues, arguing nature should take its course.
