Young porpoise dies on Norderney beach – police pull carcass from the sea

Recovery proves difficult

The police spokesperson assumes that the animal had already been dead for some time. Missing parts on the head of the carcass are considered an indication. Hints regarding the cause of death have not yet been publicly named. The circumstances of the discovery thus resemble the picture that emergency services frequently have to deal with in such cases.

According to police, the carcass will be recovered in the coming days by the Seehundstation Norddeich. The station specializes in the intake and examination of dead marine mammals on the Lower Saxony coast.

Background: Porpoises in the North Sea

The porpoise is the only species of whale native to the North Sea and German coastal waters. In the coastal area and on the East Frisian Islands, dead animals are sighted on the beach every year, police in Wittmund explained. As recently as June, a dead porpoise was discovered near Schillig in the Friesland district.

According to the authorities, the small whale was also a sought-after photo subject for holidaymakers. Numerous beachgoers captured the carcass with their phone cameras after the animal had remained on the beach. The police did not explicitly warn against contact with the animal, but referred to the ongoing recovery operation.

The discovery was confirmed to NDR Niedersachsen by a police spokesperson. The location on the North Sea coast lies on the edge of the Lower Saxony Wadden Sea National Park, an important habitat for marine mammals.

Memories of whale "Timmy"

The case evokes memories of the humpback whale "Timmy", which was first sighted in the port of Wismar at the beginning of March, roamed the Baltic Sea coast for weeks, and was found dead off the Danish island of Anholt at the beginning of May after a failed rescue operation. At the time, media attention reached similar dimensions as it currently does on Norderney.

The Seehundstation Norddeich is set up for the recovery and examination of dead marine mammals. In the past, the facility has, among other things, cared for stranded seals and grey seals and also secured dead animals for scientific evaluation.

Seehundstation takes over recovery

Strandings of porpoises occur repeatedly on the North Sea coast. Experts attribute the cases to, among other things, bycatch in fisheries, diseases, and collisions with ships. The exact cause of death of the animal on Norderney is to be investigated after its recovery.