Poor outlook for humpback whale near Wismar
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Marine experts say the chances of saving a humpback whale stranded in the Baltic Sea close to Wismar have worsened significantly.
The animal is not lodged on a sandbank but is in water about two metres deep. Researcher Burkard Baschek, who examined the whale at the scene, said the prognosis is "not good" and recommended leaving the animal undisturbed to see if it can free itself.
Observers report the whale's condition has clearly declined since Saturday. It briefly freed itself overnight but is no longer attempting to swim away; even if it tried again, there would be a high risk of it becoming stranded once more.
Authorities have set up a 500-metre exclusion zone around the animal. State Environment Minister Till Backhaus said vessels are being notified by radio and asked to keep their distance.