The whale and its misguided journey into the Baltic Sea
The unexpected appearance of the roughly ten-meter-long marine mammal began just over a week ago when it became stranded on a sandbank off Timmendorfer Strand and freed itself in a dramatic nighttime rescue. Only a few hours later, it reappeared in Wismar Bay – a place whose shallow waters proved a trap for an animal of its size.
The colossal creature still lies near Walfisch Island at a depth of almost two meters; it regularly spouts jets of water, a clear sign that it is still breathing. But the longer it remains there, the greater the concern grows for its strength and injuries. The next installment reveals the dramatic hours the team experienced on site…
The dramatic hours in Wismar Bay
Firefighters, water police, marine biologists from the ITAW, and Greenpeace immediately arrived to devise a rescue plan. They intended to use boats, ropes, and dredging a channel to help the animal reach deeper water – but the tides were too low, and the multi-ton creature only managed to travel a few meters.
While the rescuers waited through the night under floodlights, precious time ticked by. Experts described Wednesday as "crucial hours": either the whale would take advantage of the next spring tide – or it would sink even deeper into the soft seabed. But there are still people who tirelessly believe in a turnaround…
Helpers caught between hope and despair
Volunteers monitor the breathing intervals around the clock: If the interval is less than five minutes, it's considered a sign of life; if it rises to eight, the animal is classified as critically ill. So far, the interval has fluctuated between four and six minutes. Every spout of breath is celebrated on social media, every pause causes heart palpitations.
Greenpeace biologist Thilo Maack is now considering calming the whale to reduce stress. However, general anesthesia would be riskier than waiting for the next high tide. This balancing act between medical care and hoping for the best for nature is not the only problem – the Baltic Sea itself is also becoming an adversary…
