health
Rescuers release humpback whale that was stranded off German coast
Calf was transported by water-filled barge in operation deemed ‘inadvisable’ because of low chance of survival
TL;DR
- A young humpback whale, stranded in shallow waters off the German coast, has been released into the North Sea off Denmark.
- The rescue operation was privately financed by two multimillionaires and criticized by the International Whaling Commission as 'inadvisable' due to the whale's poor health.
- Experts believed the whale, described as lethargic and covered in blemishes, had a low chance of survival, with some calling the rescue 'pure animal cruelty'.
- The whale was transported in a water-filled barge and observed swimming freely, equipped with a tracker.
- German authorities approved the rescue plan after national interest surged, despite initial attempts being unsuccessful.
- Danish authorities have stated they will not intervene if the whale beaches again, viewing such events as natural phenomena.