BERLIN (AP) — A whale that was stranded for several days in shallow waters off the coast of a Baltic Sea resort in Germany has finally swum free from a sandbank following a last-ditch rescue effort. However, experts warn that the marine mammal remains in danger until it reaches the safety of the Atlantic Ocean.
On Thursday, March 26, 2026, an excavator was brought in to dig an escape channel for the whale at Timmendorfer Strand, a popular resort town. Marine biologist Robert Marc Lehmann, who was actively guiding the operations, reported on Friday that the whale successfully swam through the trench that had been excavated overnight. Despite this progress, Lehmann emphasized that the whale still faces significant challenges before it can be considered safe.
The whale, estimated to be between 12 to 15 meters (39 to 49 feet) long, was first spotted stuck on an underwater sandbank on Monday morning, March 23. Initial efforts to rescue the creature included attempts from coast guard and fire department boats designed to create large waves to coax it back into deeper waters. Unfortunately, these strategies were ineffective due to the Baltic Sea's lack of strong tides, which are typically able to help marine life in distress.
On Thursday morning, rescuers initiated a plan that involved using excavators to dig a trench directly in front of the whale's head. Despite working late into the evening, they were unable to free the whale before halting operations for the night. However, early on Friday morning, Stephanie Gross from the Institute of Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research confirmed that the whale had begun its journey out of Lübeck Bay, approximately 300 meters (nearly 1,000 feet) offshore, while being escorted by a coast guard ship and several other boats.
Experts believe that the whale is a young male, a classification based on the migratory behavior of male humpback whales. Interestingly, this particular whale had been sighted multiple times in the port of Wismar, located east of Timmendorfer Strand, in the weeks leading up to its stranding. It remains unclear why this humpback whale, which is not native to the Baltic Sea, ventured into the area and subsequently became stranded.
The whale now faces a daunting journey of several hundred kilometers (miles) through German and Danish waters if it is to successfully reach the North Sea and ultimately return to its natural habitat. As it navigates these waters, marine biologists and rescuers continue to hope for its safe passage and survival.
