With best regards

Whale “Timmy” is still on course for freedom

A farewell with a fountain—now there is great hope that the whale can regain its former strength.(Bild: Screenshot: facebook.com/sergio.bambaren, Krone KREATIV)

On Saturday morning, the fate of the humpback whale “Timmy” was decided. Around 9 a.m., the animal swam out of the barge and is now in the open sea. According to reports, it remains unclear whether he was helped along or found his way on his own. One thing is certain: the whale is no longer in the transport container referred to as a “travel bed.”

After “Timmy” left the barge, he briefly resurfaced next to the ship. He is said to have blown a fountain of water—before finally diving down and disappearing for a time.

Here, Timmy blows a fountain on his way to freedom!(Bild: APA-Images / dpa / Sebastian Peters, Krone KREATIV)

Good news following the release
Positive signs followed shortly thereafter: According to the rescue initiative, “Timmy” is continuing to swim independently in the North Sea—and apparently in the right direction. Initiator Karin Walter-Mommert confirmed this to the AFP news agency.

Expert: “He’s finally free”
Whale expert Sergio Bambaren also weighed in with a Facebook post. “He’s finally free,”he wrote. “Timmy” is swimming in the open sea, looks healthy, and is searching for his family. According to the post, he is accompanied by numerous seagulls.

Tracking device provides data
The humpback whale remains traceable: “Timmy” is wearing a tracking device that allows the organizers of the rescue operation to follow his route.

Captain Reportedly Ordered Release
According to initial reports from “Bild,” the tugboat’s captainreportedly orderedtherelease. The whale was not released into the open sea at the location originally planned by the rescue initiative.

Jubilation on board
There was great relief over the successful release. “He’s out, he’s out!” wrote veterinarian Dr. Jenna Wallace in a Facebook post.

NEWS5 is documenting the whale’s release live:

Ship changes course
The tugboat “Fortuna B” is said to have changed course shortly after the release and is now heading to port. Its speed has also increased: According to “Vesselfinder,” the convoy was last traveling at around four knots.

Visual contact with the whale
“Timmy” hasn’t completely disappeared: The whale can still be seen in drone footage. It is swimming at the surface and regularly spouting water.

Then, on Saturday, things suddenly moved very quickly; after weeks of rescue attempts, the humpback whale is finally back in the open sea.(Bild: APA/dpa/Philip Dulian)

The sea giant certainly didn’t have much room in the barge—but it was his path to freedom.(Bild: APA/dpa/Philip Dulian)

“Timmy” was on the move with a tugboat, a barge, and an escort vessel.(Bild: APA/dpa/Bodo Marks)

Weather had slowed down the transport
Previously, the weatherhadtemporarilyslowed downthetransporton Friday. At the transition between the Baltic and North Seas, the convoy had to change course due to high waves and initially head south again. During this phase, the barrier net on the barge was removed, but the whale was not yet released.

Temporarily agitated
According to the German newspaper “Bild,” “Timmy” appeared panicked at times. The whale reportedly spouted repeatedly and breached. A veterinarian was reportedly on board the convoy to care for the animal.

Weeks-long rescue operationoff the coast of Wismar The approximately twelve-meter-long humpback whale had previously been stranded for about four weeks off the German island of Poel near Wismar. Despite criticism from experts and animal welfare organizations, a private initiative had been attempting since mid-April to rescue the animal and transport it alive to the North Sea or the Atlantic.

Last Tuesday, they finally succeeded in maneuvering the whale into the water-filled barge, which was being towed by the multi-purpose vessel “Fortuna B.”