A humpback whale known as “Timmy” remains stranded on a sandbank off the island of Poel, sparking a tense standoff between a privately funded rescue initiative and animal welfare experts. The whale has been in the bay since March 31 and has experienced five separate strandings, the most recent occurring on Monday, April 20.
Novel Rescue Efforts Underway
A private initiative, led by millionaire Walter Gunz and Karin Walter-Mommert, is preparing a new attempt to save the animal. This next phase is scheduled to begin on Sunday, April 26, or Monday.
Chief diver Fred Babbel has reported that a channel measuring approximately 40 meters long, 10 meters wide and two meters deep has already been flushed out. This channel is intended to help “Timmy” reach the fairway and is expected to be expanded to a total length of 110 meters in the coming days.
Controversy Over the “Australian Method”
The rescue has been marked by significant professional disagreement. Jenna Wallace, a veterinarian from Hawaii who was brought in by the Gunz group but has since departed, shared a sketch on Facebook depicting a technique known as the “Australian Method.”
This method involves placing fire hoses around the whale’s fins for boats to pull the animal. However, the Whale & Dolphin Conservation (WDC) has warned that such attempts could cause the whale great pain, potentially leading to broken bones, skin injuries, or dislocated fins.
Government Oversight and Conflicting Goals
Environment Minister Till Backhaus has emphasized that rescue actions should be “minimal-invasive.” However, the WDC argues that the presence of numerous people and boats is causing the whale enormous stress, contradicting this goal.
Minister Backhaus has confirmed that two new partial concepts are under review. One possibility involves using a barge—a sinkable ship acting as an open-sided aquarium—to transport the whale to the North Sea. To prevent the whale from returning to shallow water, barriers made of gravel-filled “Big Bags” are being prepared.
Potential Next Steps
The outcome for “Timmy” may depend on the approval of the new transport concepts by the environment ministry. If the barge plan is approved, the whale could be moved toward the North Sea.
a rise in water levels over the weekend may provide a natural opportunity for the whale to swim away on its own. However, any physical attempts to pull the whale remain highly contested by organizations like Greenpeace and the WDC.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is financing the rescue of the whale?
The rescue efforts are being financed by a private initiative consisting of Mediamarkt co-founder Walter Gunz and Karin Walter-Mommert.
What is the “Australian Method” and why is it criticized?
The “Australian Method” involves using fire hoses around a whale’s fins to pull it to safety. Experts from the WDC criticize this because it could cause severe pain, break bones, or dislocate the fins.
What is the purpose of the “Big Bags” mentioned by the Minister?
Gravel-filled “Big Bags” are being used to create a barrier to ensure that if the whale does swim away, it does not end up in shallow water again.
Do you believe private initiatives should have the authority to lead wildlife rescues when their methods conflict with expert warnings?
