health
Final steps taken before audacious plan to tow whale stranded in Germany to North Sea
Millionaire funded operation called ‘pure animal cruelty’ after environment minister sent threats on social media
TL;DR
- A millionaire-funded plan, Operation Cushion, aims to tow a sick humpback whale named Timmy 400km from the Baltic Sea to the North Sea.
- The whale has been stranded for almost a month in water with too little salt, suffering from severe health problems including wounds and a possible fishing net obstruction.
- While some experts deem the rescue attempt futile and cruel, a private initiative backed by two millionaires is proceeding, with the environment minister now supporting it.
- The operation has attracted controversy, with critics accusing the organizers of inexperience and political motivation, and has become associated with far-right and conspiracy theory groups.
- The environment minister has received threats and is under police protection due to public backlash over the whale's fate.