Conflict intensifies over the release of Timmy the whale: accusations leveled against vessel crews

A controversy has erupted surrounding the release of Timmy the humpback whale. Two millionaires who funded the private rescue operation are distancing themselves from the action during which the animal was released into the wild, UNN reports, citing Bild.

Details

In a letter, racecourse owner Karin Walter-Mommert and Media-Markt founder Walter Gunz stated: "We hereby state that we did not participate in the action nor did we actively accompany it. Any consequences for uncoordinated actions with and around the whale are borne by the owner, operators, and known crew members of the vessels Fortuna B and Robin Hood. We categorically distance ourselves from what happened and from the manner that led to the whale's release."

In an interview with BILD, Walter-Mommert had already spoken about the problems that arose during the release attempt on Friday. But on Saturday, things were even worse: "Since a second release attempt was scheduled for Saturday, which naturally depends on the whale's health, our team was supposed to be brought to the barge in the morning. However, contrary to this agreement, only Jeff Foster was transported to the barge, while the veterinarians, for some reason, were delayed until a later time, which never happened."

Context

Jeff Foster of the Whale Sanctuary Project is considered an experienced expert on marine mammals. On the team's current page, he is listed as the "Animal Transfer and Rehabilitation Coordinator." He previously worked on the Keiko Project as Director of Field Operations and Research and was thus involved in the release of the orca Keiko, who became world-famous thanks to the Hollywood film "Free Willy." Foster was also decorated for rescuing dolphins after Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

The statement by Walter-Mommert and Gunz further states that measures were then taken "to remove the whale from the vessel," but at the same time, accompanying veterinarians Kirsten Tönnies and Hanni Herrschaft were unable to re-examine it. Foster's request to "immediately call the veterinarians and his teammates" was not granted. "He was also forbidden from using his mobile phone under the threat of it being thrown into the sea," the statement says.

Rescued whale Timmy released into the sea without a working GPS03.05.26, 01:05 • 5980 views

Recall

At the end of April, an operation began off the coast of Germany to transport the humpback whale, named Timmy, to the North Sea. 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 independently guide it into deeper waters were unsuccessful.