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He is already in DenmarkAfter Poel’s whale miracle – what’s next for Timmy?
The humpback whale swims towards its freedom in this huge steel tank – it is the last chance for the gentle giant.
Philip Dulian/dpa
All of Germany is currently following Timmy's journey towards the North Sea.
This makes the question all the more important as to what new information there is about the animal's condition and the ongoing mission. After the private initiative successfully rescued the humpback whale stranded off Poel on Tuesday (April 28), those responsible commented in detail on the rescue operation on Wednesday afternoon.
Ministers, lawyers and DLRG talk about the rescue operation
All of Germany follows Timmy's journey towards the North Sea. While the humpback whale is now in Danish waters, at midday the focus is once again on Poel. There, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania's Environment Minister Till Backhaus, lawyer Constanze von der Meden and Oliver Bartelt from the DLRG comment on the unprecedented rescue operation.
Reading tip: Rescue fleet pulls the whale towards the North Sea
Minister Backhaus is relieved. “He's lying quietly. He apparently also vocalized tonight (sung editor's note). He's fine.” The focus is on the dramatic hours of rescue, the cooperation of the many helpers and the next steps for Timmy. The minister also emphasizes: “It was an attempt and the attempt was successful. There has never been anything like this in Germany.” Regarding the condition of the whale, Backhaus explains: “The concept did not harm the whale. It suffered no injuries.”
The humpback whale should now get a tracker so that it can better follow its further journey. According to Backhaus, the specific location where Timmy should be released is currently being coordinated and should not be revealed. Lawyer Constanze von der Meden says: “We don’t want whale tourism, the whale should be left alone.”
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“He showed us all.”
Lawyer Constanze von der Meden finds emotional words for the whale initiative: “April 28th will certainly be a day that will go down in Germany's history. I still get goosebumps when I think about it.” Till Backhaus explains that he was personally reported 147 times because of his measures to help whales. However, he believes that all advertisements will be rejected. The minister also can’t resist a little pun and calls Poel his new “whale home.” He also wants to pursue the idea of a whale statue for Kirchdorf.
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Video tip: Humpback whale Timmy on the way to freedom!
Peace is slowly returning to Poel
While Timmy is already on the way, things are being packed up in the port of Kirchdorf. After many weeks, the mission ends for many helpers. The DLRG volunteers in particular were on site around the clock, with a peak of 38 emergency services. The last teams leave with the humorous farewell greeting “See you next whale”.
Reading tip: After the coma! Timmy vet is paralyzed
Backhaus expressly thanks the emergency services: “Without the DLRG we wouldn’t have been able to do it.” At the same time, the minister draws a larger lesson from the Timmy case: “Such a case will not be an isolated incident.” In the future, we will need veterinarians, clear operational standards and solid structures for similar emergencies. “We have written a piece of whale history.”
Sources used: own RTL research, dpa
