Humpback Whale in the Baltic Sea: Schleswig-Holstein Draws Lessons from the Timmy Case

Marine biologist and whale expert Boris Culik from Heikendorf (Plön district) views the condition of the animal with concern. The white skin and pink spots on the whale's dorsal fin could indicate a fungal infection, among other things. The skin would normally be dark gray, according to the expert. His conclusion: "The whale is presumably not doing well," according to marine biologist and whale expert Boris Culik from Heikendorf (Plön district).

Health Condition of the Animal

The whale's current whereabouts are not known. Since a new humpback whale has been swimming in the Baltic Sea since last week, the Ministry is observing the developments closely. A spokesperson explained the procedures: "This is how we are informed very quickly when a whale is sighted or perhaps even strands."

This had been established specifically for this purpose since the stranding of the humpback whale "Timmy," according to Clara van Biezen, spokesperson for the Schleswig-Holstein Ministry of the Environment. "Although individual administrative concepts are still being developed, according to van Biezen, they were capable of acting and could respond directly if needed.

Reporting Chain and Responsibilities

In the event of a sighting or stranding, the Ministry of the Environment would be the first point of contact. This generally happens through the water protection police. Should it have already stranded, the police must be informed. In the event of a stranding, the first priority would be to cordon off the area as quickly as possible.

"The Ministry would then, depending on the case and jurisdiction, mediate between the respective municipalities and experts," the spokesperson continued. "Each case has to be looked at individually. That depends on the conditions on site as well as on the condition of the animal. Should the whale be washed ashore dead, it would usually only be about recovering the animal. Here too, the Ministry of the Environment would, according to its own statements, provide support.

Anyone who does see the whale is asked by the Ministry to please keep their distance and leave the animal in peace. This serves primarily to protect oneself from possible diseases. The Ministry expressly asks the public not to disturb the animal and not to make any attempts to approach it.

Review: The Timmy Case

The incident evokes memories of the humpback whale Timmy, who wandered through the Baltic Sea for weeks last spring, stranding multiple times and being rescued at great effort. He died, however, just a few days after being released in the North Sea. In Germany, Timmy caused a sensation for months.

In mid-May, a dead humpback whale had washed ashore on the coast of the Danish island of Anholt. The carcass carried the GPS transmitter that US whale expert Jeff Forster had attached to Timmy's dorsal fin before his release. The serial number of the transmitter, the injury patterns and the shape of the tail fin matched Timmy.

Two DNA samples were taken to confirm the whale's identity. The first DNA sample indicated that the whale was male. The second sample was taken by members of a private whale initiative on the beach of Anholt. Forster had taken a tissue sample from Timmy before his release.

DNA Samples and Open Questions

According to a Bild report, a DNA analysis shows that the dead animal does not match the samples from Timmy. Accordingly, the two DNA samples do not match each other. The whale stranded at Anholt was female.

Marine biologist Robert Marc Lehmann had previously spoken critically about the collected DNA samples on YouTube, according to Merkur.de. He asked: "Wer hat wann wie, wo, mit wem eine DNA-Probe genommen? Wo wurde die analysiert? Was ist dabei rausgekommen und darauf gibt es keine Antworten? Das finde ich komisch. Da wurde gelogen oder irgendwas versaubeutelt.

The DNA samples were taken without independent witnesses, and the shipment to the laboratory was not monitored. Neither Mecklenburg-Vorpommern nor the Ozeaneum in Stralsund took their own DNA samples. The Ozeaneum in Stralsund declined to take a sample when Timmy stranded near the island of Poel, with the desire not to stress the animal additionally.

Press Conference in Sight

Mecklenburg-Vorpommern's Environment Minister Till Backhaus (SPD) and the Ozeaneum Stralsund will not attend the press conference. A press conference is scheduled, according to Deutsche Presse-Agentur (dpa), for Wednesday, July 22, at 2:00 p.m., to bring clarity to the case. A private initiative had transported the whale toward the North Sea and released it in the Skagerrak.