The humpback whale stranded on and off for a month in the Baltic Sea is now to receive help from a specially built barge to reach deeper waters. Dubbed 'Timmy' by German media, it first ran aground near Lübeck at the end of March. The plan is to transport it to the North Sea and release it.
The humpback whale 'Timmy', over ten metres long, has been fighting for survival in the Baltic Sea since it ran aground on a sandbank near Lübeck at the end of March. The whale has escaped several times only to get stuck on new sandbanks.
Rescue efforts, including digging canals, have all failed, and the whale's health has deteriorated. German media have covered the drama, which has engaged the public.
Two entrepreneurs have funded a specially built barge with a water-filled hold. 'Timmy' has been pulled into the barge and is to be escorted to the North Sea for release into deeper waters.