The chances of rescuing a humpback whale stranded in the Baltic Sea near Wismar have worsened significantly, according to marine experts.
Current information indicates the animal is not stuck on a sandbank but is in water about two meters deep. Researcher Burkard Baschek, after assessing the whale on site, said the outlook is “not good” and that the animal should now be left undisturbed in the hope it can free itself.
Although the whale is in water deep enough to escape unassisted, its condition has “clearly deteriorated” since Saturday. It briefly freed itself during the night but is no longer making attempts to swim away, and even if it did, there would be a high risk it could strand again.
Authorities have established a 500-meter exclusion zone around the animal. State Environment Minister Till Backhaus said vessels are being informed by radio to keep their distance.