Millionaires Fund Last-Ditch Whale Rescue Amid Greenpeace Opposition

A group of millionaires is backing a final, ambitious effort to rescue a humpback whale, locally known as 'Timmy,' which has been stranded in shallow German waters for nearly six weeks. This elaborate plan aims to use air cushions to lift the ten-meter-long animal off the seabed and onto a tarp for transport to deeper waters, possibly the North Sea or even the Atlantic.

However, the rescue operation faces significant opposition from Greenpeace Germany. They cite concerns from wildlife experts who indicate the whale is 'sick and severely weakened,' suffering from visible skin detachments and presumed internal injuries. Greenpeace argues that the high-risk operation could further endanger the animal, with its chances of survival being very low.

Despite these concerns, the state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania has deemed the plan 'minimally invasive.' The millionaire sponsors, Walter Gunz and Karin Walter-Mommert, are taking full responsibility for the outcome. Dredging work is ongoing around the whale, and there's a slim hope that rising water levels might allow the whale to swim away independently, though this could lead to it becoming stranded again nearby.

Veterinarians confirm Timmy is still showing signs of life, breathing, vocalizing, and exhibiting actions that suggest a will to survive. This initiative has captured national attention in Germany, with even the country's president having met with veterinarians treating the whale. The whale's predicament began after a previous rescue attempt, after which it returned to shallow waters, possibly after chasing herring shoals.