Stranded whale ferried out of German waters in barge
Summary
A humpback whale stranded in shallow waters off the German coast for over five weeks has been moved out to the North Sea in a water-filled barge. The rescue involved a mission funded by two German entrepreneurs and was closely followed in Germany, although experts are unsure if the whale will survive.Key Facts
- The humpback whale was stranded for more than five weeks near the island of Poel on Germany’s Baltic Sea coast.
- It was coaxed into a specially adapted, water-filled barge and towed out of German waters toward the North Sea.
- The rescue mission was funded by two German entrepreneurs who expressed great relief and happiness.
- German environment minister Till Backhaus called the operation a success and said the whale was doing well during transport.
- Marine experts and wildlife groups are skeptical about the whale’s chances for long-term survival.
- The whale suffered skin damage due to low salt levels in the Baltic Sea and had been entangled in netting initially.
- The transport ship Fortuna B is passing through Danish waters on route to the North Sea.
- This type of rescue is rare and unprecedented, so experts do not know how the whale will react once released.
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