In the ongoing saga surrounding a humpback whale that was relocated from the Baltic Sea to the North Sea following repeated strandings, doubts about a positive outcome are mounting. According to the German Marine Museum in Stralsund, which issued a statement on Tuesday, it must be assumed that the weakened animal "did not have enough strength to swim in deep water for an extended period and is no longer alive."
Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania's Environment Minister Till Backhaus (SPD) has called on the initiative to disclose all relevant data.
While the minister described the museum's assessment as "speculation" that he would not endorse "at this time," he stated that he is of the opinion that "the relevant data on the whale must be presented promptly and the outstanding questions must be clarified." This had been agreed upon in advance with the initiative. He expects to receive the information in a timely manner.
Experts from the German Marine Museum in Stralsund were involved in the rescue efforts for the humpback whale for weeks. Together with other specialists from environmental protection organizations, they concluded a month ago that the severely weakened animal could no longer be helped and that rescue attempts should be discontinued.
The museum was no longer involved in the subsequent transport of the marine mammal by an initiative financed by entrepreneurs, which was tolerated by Backhaus and the authorities. Many experts rejected the action due to poor prospects of success and animal welfare concerns.
Nevertheless, the private initiative maneuvered the approximately twelve-meter-long whale, which had most recently been lying in a bay off the island of Poel in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, into a water-filled barge last Tuesday.
The animal was then transported by tow convoy from the Baltic Sea to the northern tip of Denmark, where it was released on Saturday under circumstances that are not precisely known. Representatives of the initiative subsequently made serious accusations against the ship's crew.
Following the release, the initiative reported signals from a tracking device attached to the whale, which was said to be functioning only to a limited extent and not transmitting position data. At the same time, there was talk of vital signs from the animal. Experts expressed doubts, among other reasons, because GPS trackers typically do not record or transmit such vital signs at all.
Independently verifiable information about the animal's whereabouts and condition has not been available since the last confirmed sighting via drone last Saturday, the museum emphasized. However, for proof of a successful rescue, it is "essential" that the initiative now share precise information about the GPS tracker allegedly attached to the whale, as well as all raw and live data from the tracking device, with an independent organization.
At the same time, the museum pointed to the "extremely weakened condition" of the animal, which was first spotted in the port of Wismar on March 3 and wandered around the Baltic coast for weeks. It became entangled in fishing nets and stranded repeatedly in quick succession despite rescue attempts. This is considered a certain sign of massive problems.
It must be assumed "with high probability" that the whale is dead, the Marine Museum declared on Tuesday. The museum itself has been subjected to hostility from self-proclaimed sympathizers of the whale in the past. The fate of the animal has sparked extremely emotional debates, and a supporter scene has repeatedly accused the authorities and experts. The private initiative also criticized them while simultaneously drawing attention through internal disputes.
Backhaus also insisted on "transparency" from the initiative. It had been agreed with their representatives that they would report back by Tuesday with data from the tracking device and current findings on the animal's condition, he stated in Schwerin. This serves "the traceability of the operation and the further classification of the events." The initiative must comply with the agreements.
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