An operation has begun off the coast of Germany to transport a humpback whale, named Timmy, to the North Sea. This was reported by AP News, according to UNN.
The animal was discovered on March 3 near the Baltic Sea coast—far from its natural habitat in the Atlantic Ocean. Due to shallow waters, the whale repeatedly became stranded, and its condition gradually deteriorated. Attempts to guide it into deeper waters on its own were unsuccessful.
On Tuesday, rescuers managed to lift the whale onto a special barge using straps and an artificially created channel. The vessel has already reached Danish waters and is moving toward the North Sea through the Skagerrak strait.
"There has never been a rescue operation like this in Germany. It was an experiment—and it proved successful," said Till Backhaus, Minister for Climate Protection and the Environment of the federal state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.
According to him, the whale is in a calm state and has been making sounds, which indicates the animal's condition is satisfactory.
The operation sparked debate among scientists and animal rights activists. Some experts believe that the transportation could have caused severe stress for the animal.
"I think the whale might die in the near future. And the question should be asked—what is wrong with that? Animals live and die. This whale is very sick and was perhaps looking for a place of peace," said Greenpeace marine biologist Thilo Maack.
At the same time, veterinarians involved in the operation are convinced that the whale's condition allows for its transportation.
Discussions regarding Timmy's fate lasted for several weeks—some called for leaving the animal alone, while others insisted on active measures to save it. Ultimately, it was decided to attempt to return the whale to its natural environment.
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