A large whale remains trapped in shallow water off Germany’s Baltic Sea coast, and repeated rescue attempts have so far failed, authorities said. The animal — roughly 10 meters (32 feet) long — was first seen early on Monday near Niendorf in the northern state of Schleswig-Holstein. Overnight high tide did not free the mammal, a police spokesman said.
Early signs suggest the animal may be a humpback whale, notable for its long pectoral fins. A marine conservation group and Sea Shepherd say the whale is likely a young male on migration and could be the same individual spotted in the area earlier this month.
Rescue teams have been working since midday Monday to dislodge the whale from a sandbank. Efforts have included using boats to create waves, deploying drones, and coordinating volunteers and specialists. Although responders have not succeeded in refloating the whale, they removed some netting that had become wrapped around its body.
Rescuers reported the whale making “deep, muffled” sounds at times and appearing weak. Police erected barriers along the shore to keep onlookers from disturbing the operation; dozens of people gathered on the rocky coast to watch.
Experts say it is unclear why the whale entered the shallow bay. Stephanie Gross from the Hanover-based Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research said the animal may be ill, injured, exhausted, or simply unlucky.
The situation remains tense as teams continue their attempts to free the animal and assess its condition. Image: Ulrich Perrey/dpa/picture alliance
Edited by: Wesley Dockery