German Minister Defends Approval of Whale Rescue After 'Timmy' Dies

A young humpback whale named "Timmy" stranded near the German coast and was moved onto a barge by a private initiative in an attempt to return it to its natural habitat. The whale died shortly after the rescue effort.

Mecklenburg‑Vorpommern Environment Minister Till Backhaus (SPD) said he authorized the private operation after consulting two scientists, whose identities he kept confidential. He defended the decision, stating, "Animals have significance for me... we should help them when we can," and insisted that neither political pressure nor public opinion influenced his judgment. Backhaus also rejected claims that the rescue prolonged the whale's suffering, emphasizing that the animal was a viable young individual deserving of assistance.