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Whale's Final Days: Rescue Fails, Mystery Lingers
12 Jun
Summary
- Whale likely died five days after final rescue attempt failed.
- Tracking data shows whale swam towards Baltic Sea, the wrong direction.
- Autopsy revealed whale was female but no cause of death found.
The humpback whale, which captivated Germany for months, likely died about five days after its final rescue attempt concluded without success. The mammal, nicknamed 'Hope' and 'Timmy', was discovered dead on May 14 off the island of Anholt, located in the strait between Denmark and Sweden.
This discovery marked the end of a prolonged and debated effort to save the weakened animal. Data from a transmitter revealed the whale probably died around May 6 or 7, having swum approximately 215 kilometers back toward the Baltic Sea. Officials confirmed the whale was female following an autopsy, which found no serious injuries or signs of violence that could explain its death.
Experts are uncertain why the whale entered the Baltic Sea, speculating it may have become disoriented while pursuing prey or during migration. Parts of the whale's remains will be used for biodiesel in Denmark, and some bones will be donated to a Danish museum.
