“Timmy” autopsy reopens rescue debate

Scientists hope a post-mortem examination will reveal what killed “Timmy” the humpback whale, whose dramatic rescue attempt drew global attention and fierce criticism from some marine experts

Timmendorfer Strand
SWEDEN
GERMANY
DENMARK
Anholt
Poel
Baltic Sea
Lübeck Bay
North Sea
Kattegat
Skagerrak
60 miles
100km

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TIMMY’S JOURNEY

Mar 3: “Timmy” first sighted in Lübeck Bay, on German Baltic coast


Mar 23: Whale becomes stranded on Timmendorfer Beach

Mar 27: Volunteers dig channels through shallow sandbanks, helping guide whale back into deeper water

Mar 28-30: Whale swims east and becomes stranded again near island of Poel

Apr 1: Authorities suspend active rescue efforts after marine experts conclude whale is unlikely to survive

Mid-April: Following intense media attention, two German entrepreneurs privately fund controversial last-attempt rescue operation

Apr 29-May 2: Whale transported aboard flooded rescue barge and released into deep North Sea waters

May 14: Whale’s carcass found off Anholt island,
 two weeks after its release

May 30-Early June: Carcass dragged ashore for post-mortem analysis

FLAT-BOTTOM CARGO BARGE

13m
50m

Cost of rescue operation: €1.5m

Towing bridle

Timmy
Length: 12-15m

Flooded entrance closed with netting

Water-filled barge

Barge lowered or raised by filling or emptying tanks in hull

Sources: BBC, AFP, Timmywhale.com
Picture: Newscom
© GRAPHIC NEWS