Humpback whale sighted off Heiligenhafen – authorities urge people to keep their distance

Background: Migration of large whales into the Baltic Sea

Whether it is the same humpback whale that was seen off the Danish Baltic coast in recent weeks, for example off Aarhus, could not initially be determined with certainty. The image and video material available to us is unfortunately of such poor quality that we cannot say for sure whether this is the humpback whale that was off Denmark in recent weeks. However, the size and general appearance suggest that it is.

It is "presumably the animal that was previously observed in Scotland and Denmark". Previously, according to the Danish Environment Agency, there had been sightings between Jutland and the island of Funen, among other places.

Since the whale is "actively moving in open water", no further steps are initially necessary. For this reason, the Ministry of the Environment is also "refraining from closely monitoring the animal".

Appeal to the public

The Ministry asked citizens to keep their distance in the event of any whale sightings and to report a possible stranding to the authorities. Ship and boat traffic in the vicinity of the animals constitutes "a significant stress factor".

The Danish Environment Agency had previously urgently called on people to keep their distance from the whale. In spring, a humpback whale even swam as far as German waters and repeatedly beached itself, attracting great public attention.

Background: The whale "Timmy"

A private initiative brought the animal known as "Timmy" into the North Sea in an elaborate operation using a transport barge and released it there. Experts criticized this as animal cruelty. In mid-May, it was found dead off the Danish Baltic island of Anholt. The whale did not survive.

The humpback whale had already been observed in the Kiel Fjord beforehand. According to reports, the whale was staying in the Kiel Fjord but was "slowly moving back towards the open sea". Its appearance and behaviour suggested that it was ill.

The authorities in Schleswig-Holstein continue to monitor the situation. Should the animal's condition deteriorate or should it beach itself, further measures may become necessary. For now, however, the animal is actively moving in open water.