Schlauchboote mit Helfern sind in der Nähe des gestrandeten Wals vor der Ostseeinsel Poel im Einsatz. Der Rücken des Wals ist mit Tüchern abgedeckt. Für den bei Wismar gestrandeten Buckelwal wurde ein neuer Rettungsversuch gestartet. Umgesetzt werden soll das Konzept von einer privaten Initiative. Credit: Bernd Wüstneck/dpa
Efforts to save the humpback whale stranded off Germany’s Baltic Coast will continue for a fourth day on Sunday.
A private rescue mission began on Thursday after several attempts by government-backed rescuers failed to dislodge the mammal that first became stranded at the end of March.
On Saturday, helpers spent the entire day near the whale and a floating work platform was brought closer to the animal.
However, transporting the whale to the North Sea via a tug was not possible. Rescuers were also unable to check the animal’s mouth to determine if a piece of net remained in its baleen.
Veterinarian Janine Bahr-van Gemmert, who is involved in the rescue attempt, said the rescue operation was making good progress.
“We’re doing the best we can for the whale,” said Bahr-van Gemmert, who runs a seal centre on the North Sea island of Föhr.
She rejected criticism of the action from scientists and other experts.
“These people didn’t see this whale. We saw it on site.”
She reiterated that the whale had a “real chance” for survival.
Scientists and other experts recently agreed, after an extensive assessment, that the whale needed rest and further interventions would cause the animal massive damage.
The whale has been stranded in Wismar Bay since March 31, after becoming stranded multiple times in the preceding weeks.
Due to the whale’s state of health, authorities suspended major rescue operations on April 1 to let the whale die in peace.
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