April 20, 2026
A humpback whale nicknamed Timmy, which first became stuck in Wismar Bay off Germany’s Baltic Sea coast on March 31, was reported back on the move on Monday morning after becoming stranded again over the weekend. Rising water levels and strengthening winds helped buoy Timmy back into open water under his own strength, a development experts described as a positive sign.
The whale’s plight drew widespread national attention, with some broadcasters running 24/7 livestreams of the situation. Rescue boats have been guiding Timmy toward the open sea, and he is due to be fitted with a tracking device once crews finish assisting him, to help monitor his onward journey back into the wild.
The latest push to free and protect Timmy was backed by several independent supporters, including Walter Gunz, co-founder of electronics retailer MediaMarkt, after initial government interventions failed to bring the whale safely back out to sea and hopes for his survival had at times diminished. Authorities and marine experts continue to monitor Timmy closely as he heads away from the coastline.