In Germany, the humpback whale Timmy, called the "people's whale," is set to undergo a necropsy. Timmy returned to the sea after a massive rescue operation but ultimately died. As the carcass decomposes, gas has built up inside, causing it to swell greatly.
The BBC reported on May 31 (local time) that Timmy's carcass, found dead near Denmark's Anholt Island, was recently moved to the shore.
Timmy is a humpback whale more than 10 meters long. Considering the possibility of the carcass exploding, Denmark's environmental authorities have taken safety measures and plan to conduct a necropsy on Jun. 4 to determine the exact cause of death.
Authorities plan to have veterinarians and researchers collect research samples, then cut the carcass into several pieces and move it to a safe location for disposal. Citing infection risks and the possibility of the carcass exploding, Denmark's environmental authorities have asked residents not to approach the whale's carcass.
Timmy was first spotted off the German coast in early March. On Mar. 23, the whale stranded on a sandbar off Timmendorfer Strand in northern Germany, drawing nationwide attention. It was believed to have left its native habitat in the Atlantic and entered the shallow waters along the Baltic Sea coast.
Timmy then repeatedly stranded and underwent rescue attempts along the northern German coast. As the process was reported by local media and on social media (SNS), crowds flocked to see Timmy at the scene, and interest grew to the point that police moved in to control the situation. Songs cheering for Timmy and related merchandise were also created.
When local environmental authorities took a cautious stance on rescue operations, citing Timmy's health and chances of survival, some citizens strongly opposed it. In the process, controversy flared as threatening messages were sent to the official in charge.
In the end, after a rescue operation involving private supporters, Timmy was loaded onto a barge and moved toward the North Sea on May 2. However, about two weeks later, on May 14, Timmy was found dead near Denmark's Anholt Island. Some observers said Timmy's health deteriorated after a long stay in the Baltic Sea, and stress from repeated strandings and large-scale rescue operations may also have played a role. The exact cause is expected to be identified through the necropsy results.