After dissection of whale "Timmy": Museums compete for the animal's bones

The museum in Copenhagen does not, however, plan to exhibit the bones itself. "We will not exhibit the bones ourselves, at least for the time being," Johansson explained. Instead, other museums in Denmark, Germany, and the Netherlands have expressed interest in the whale's remains. These institutions want to use the exhibits to highlight various perspectives on the treatment of animals and nature, among other things: "How do we look at an animal?" and "How do we deal with nature?" are central questions, he said.

Three ear bones were also brought to the museum by the researchers. "This is very thick bone material from which one can still extract DNA even after 200 years," Johansson explained. Scientists and veterinarians hope the material will provide long-term genetic insights into the animal. However, preserving the complete skeleton was not possible. "Because the whale was so large, it would have required greater investments to completely collect and preserve the skeleton," Johansson said.

Criticism of the handling of the animal

The handling of the humpback whale drew criticism from many experts in Denmark and Germany. After the weakened animal had repeatedly stranded off German coasts, a private initiative had, against scientific advice, transported it on a cargo ship into the North Sea and released it. Shortly afterward, the whale had died and later washed up dead on the beach of the Danish island of Anholt.

A team of scientists and veterinarians had examined the carcass on Anholt. It was found, among other things, that the whale was female. Stranded whales are not uncommon in Denmark. The skeleton of a somewhat smaller humpback whale is currently on display in a Danish museum.

Biodiesel from the carcass

The largest part of the carcass was taken to a factory after the dissection. Biodiesel, among other things, was to be produced from the remains. The museums now vying for bones see this as an opportunity to make the animal's backstory and the debate over how stranded marine mammals are handled accessible to a broad public. According to Johansson, the exhibitions could help contextualize the controversy surrounding "Timmy" and sharpen the view of such animals.

Reports of the whale's fate had caused a stir in recent weeks. Critics accused those involved of having unnecessarily endangered the animal by transporting it to the North Sea. Supporters argued that they had wanted to give the weakened animal a chance to recover in freedom. The examination of the carcass and the now planned museum use of bone parts could further fuel the debate.

According to the Copenhagen museum, the distribution of the bones to interested museums has not yet been conclusively decided. According to Johansson, talks are underway with institutions in several countries. Which bones go where is to be clarified in the coming weeks. The goal is for as many people as possible to be able to see the remains, Johansson told the dpa.

According to experts, the humpback whale was already severely weakened at the time of transport. The multiple stranding attempts off German coasts were seen as a sign that the animal was disoriented and ill. After its release in the North Sea, there had been no signs of recovery, it was said. In the coming years, the topic of stranded whales in the North Sea is likely to continue to attract attention.

Educational programs planned

The responsible authorities in Denmark had approved the transport of the carcass and its subsequent processing. No criminal investigation into the matter was previously known. The private initiative involved has so far not publicly commented on the accusations.

The museums interested in the bones are planning accompanying events in addition to classic exhibitions. Discussion panels, lectures, and museum educational programs are intended to sensitize visitors to the protection of marine mammals. School classes are also to be involved in order to introduce young people to the topic at an early stage.