Humpback whale ‘Timmy’ to be autopsied on Denmark’s Anholt island

The decomposing carcass of the humpback whale dubbed “Timmy” was beached on the Danish island of Anholt after drifting from the Baltic Sea. On 4 June 2026 a six‑hour public autopsy will be conducted on the sand‑filled beach, allowing observers to keep a safe distance. A team of veterinarians and researchers will measure the animal, confirm its sex, take DNA samples and examine organs for signs of internal bleeding, water in the lungs or disease. They will also search the stomach and intestines for fish‑net fragments, which have been implicated in recent Danish whale strandings.

Local residents fear the rotting whale could deter beachgoers, and containers have already been placed on the shore for the later removal of the remains. Danish authorities plan to transport the carcass to a processing facility where oil, fat and other material will be converted into biodiesel and biomass. German veterinary expert Dr Kirsten Tönnies has criticised the delayed autopsy, arguing that important forensic evidence may already have degraded. The episode has also sparked legal scrutiny of German officials involved in earlier rescue attempts.

The event has drawn considerable media attention in both Denmark and Germany, highlighting the challenges of marine wildlife welfare, public engagement and cross‑border coordination.