Whale named Timmy found dead after being saved with fears he ‘could explode’
The humpback whale captured global attention after becoming stranded off the German coast for 41 days and now has been found dead
Timmy the whale has died(Image: Action Press/Shutterstock)
Timmy the whale has been found dead and now sea experts are warning that his body “could explode” at any given moment. The humpback whale captured global attention after becoming stranded off the German coast for 41 days but now authorities have confirmed that he has been found dead.
His 32 foot frame was found dead near the Danish island of Anholt after the carcass was spotted floating in the Kattegat Sea between Sweden and Denmark on Thursday. It took some time for experts to get to the whale to check his identity because of a spell of bad weather, but on Saturday, Danish Nature Agency officials were finally able to confirm the whale’s identity.
In a statement, the agency said: “It can now be confirmed that the stranded humpback whale near Anholt is the same whale that was previously stranded in Germany and was the subject of rescue attempt. Officials were able to identify Timmy thanks to a GPS transmitter attached to the carcass.”
Now, agency workers have issued a warning urging members of the public to stay away from the whale. “The carcass may carry diseases that can also be transmitted to humans” the continued, adding that there is also “a risk of explosion” because decomposing whales can build up huge amounts of gas internally.”
They added that this can cause their bodies to suddenly burst, sending “chunks of flesh flying into the air.”
Timmy first became stranded on March 23 after accidentally wandering into the Baltic Sea.
Although the giant mammal initially managed to free itself, it repeatedly became trapped again in shallow waters as he was confused about where he was.
German authorities eventually abandoned rescue efforts after concluding the whale had become too weak to survive.
A group of donors later funded a dramatic £1.4million operation to try to save Timmy by guiding him into a water-filled holding pen before towing him back towards open sea.
Regional environment minister Till Backhaus praised the mission at the time as a success and “an example for Germany of what can be done”.
The Danish Nature Agency has since said there are “no concrete plans” to remove the carcass because it is “not currently considered to pose a problem in the area”.
