Dead whale Timmy pulled to beach near Danish island Anholt sparks controversy

A dead fin whale nicknamed Timmy drifted near the Danish island of Anholt for more than two weeks, attracting attention from both Danish and German authorities. After several failed attempts to tow the carcass, a private rescue team was granted permission by the German environment ministry to bring the whale onto the beach on Saturday, using a metal container for transport.

Danish whale researcher Peter Madsen criticised the operation as animal cruelty, stating the whale was already diseased and the stressful transport offered no chance of rescue. He urged that the animal should have been left undisturbed.

The Danish environmental agency warned locals and visitors to stay away from the carcass due to the risk of infection from the decaying body. An autopsy is planned to determine the cause of death, with investigators expected to look for evidence of fishing gear or plastic ingestion.