Dead humpback whale Timmy remains on Anholt after failed removal

The carcass of a humpback whale dubbed “Timmy” washed ashore on the beach of Denmark’s holiday island Anholt after the animal died at sea. Danish environmental officials planned to tow the swollen body to the port of Grenaa in Jutland for autopsy and scientific sampling.

Initial attempts to pull the whale from a sandbank onto a barge failed, and the operation was halted. Authorities said the corpse is expanding with gases, raising concerns it could explode and pose a hazard to tourists and locals who frequent the popular beach during the summer season. A new removal attempt is expected only after Pentecost, while scientists continue to monitor the situation.

The incident also involved a German‑borne tracking device on the whale and sparked discussions about better rescue protocols for future strandings in the Baltic Sea.