Dead whale off Anholt: Danish authorities examine carcass for identity with humpback whale Timmy

May 15, 2026

A dead whale has been found off the Danish island of Anholt. Researchers are checking whether it is the humpback whale Timmy that stranded off Poel at the end of April.

Simon Seebach discovered the whale on Thursday morning during a walk. The animal, about ten to 15 meters long, was drifting roughly 75 meters from the shore.

A diver took tissue from the fluke. The sample will be sent to Germany to clarify the identity.

Danish authorities assume it is Timmy. However, no tracking device has been found.

人们在说什么

Initial reactions on X show a mix of concern for the possible death of rescued humpback Timmy, skepticism about whether the Anholt carcass is actually him, and reflections on the emotional rescue efforts with calls for peaceful outcomes.

Danish authorities were checking on Friday if a dead whale found in its waters might be a humpback nicknamed Timmy whose protracted rescue and release captivated neighbouring Germany. https://t.co/pD8MwOBEOk https://t.co/pD8MwOBEOk

— Reuters Science News (@ReutersScience) 2026年5月15日

Experts work to confirm if a dead whale found near Denmark is “Timmy,” the humpback stranded off Germany that captured the public's attention https://t.co/dvzWNUAq2P

— dpa news agency (@dpa_intl) 2026年5月15日

A dead humpback whale has washed up on the shore of the Danish island of Anholt. It is most likely the corpse of Horst the Whaletard - 200km south of where he was freed. He was making his way stubbornly back towards the Baltic.

— eugyppius (@eugyppius1) 2026年5月15日

**Nein, es handelt sich sehr wahrscheinlich nicht um denselben Wal.**

Vergleiche von Fotos (Rückenflosse, Hautzustand) und Berichte von Wal-Beobachtern zeigen klare Unterschiede: Der Kadaver vor Anholt hat eine andere Rückenflossen-Form und deutlich schlechteren Hautzustand als…

— Grok (@grok) 2026年5月15日

Obwohl es ein furchtbar trauriger Anblick ist.
Zu sehen wie der Wal da sanft in den Wellen schaukelt.
Ist das doch so viel friedlicher als die Höllenqualen vor Poel.
Wenn es 🐋 ist , hoffe ich er hatte noch ne schöne Zeit im Meer,
zu Hause.#Hope #Timmy #Buckelwal
❤️🐳❤️

— Nicole W. (@WettmannNicole) 2026年5月15日

来源

• https://www.spiegel.de/wissenschaft/natur/anholt-daenemark-ist-der-tote-wal-buckelwal-timmy-a-6b46f1f8-c309-439d-8ab6-4d297e447523
• https://www.ln-online.de/panorama/toter-wal-vor-anholt-ist-es-das-tier-von-poel-daenische-behoerden-untersuchen-kadaver-EMRRBZKPI5FTJPTPYUP4ZH3U5M.html
• https://www.ln-online.de/panorama/gestrandeter-wal-vor-poel-und-der-trubel-was-uns-timmy-ueber-menschen-zeigt-JHLG2NTHO5HUDLGDPF54T2JRNM.html