German Rescuers Plan to Use Air Cushions in Latest Attempt to Save Stranded Whale Timmy

Rescuers off Germany’s Baltic coast are preparing a modern effort to save Timmy, a humpback whale that has been stranded near the island of Poel for weeks. The animal, first spotted in early March, remains stuck in shallow waters despite multiple previous attempts to refloat it. Authorities have confirmed that a private initiative will use air cushions in the latest rescue attempt, aiming to lift the whale from the sea floor and transport it toward deeper waters.

The humpback whale, nicknamed Timmy by local media, measures between 12 and 15 meters in length. It has become weakened and sicker after prolonged stranding, with experts noting its condition is critical. Earlier rescue efforts involving police boats, excavators and inflatable boats had only temporarily freed the whale before it became stranded again.

According to regional Environment Minister Till Backhaus, the previous rescue concept using air cushions, pontoons, and a tarpaulin was deemed not viable and has been scrapped. However, a revised approach is now being developed by a private initiative that received backing approximately one week ago. Backhaus stated that any further measures must be scientifically sound, consider the animal’s condition, and be coordinated with authorities.

The state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania has described the air cushion method as a “minimally invasive” approach, though wildlife experts have warned that any intervention carries considerable risk after previous failed attempts. Experts from the International Whaling Commission (IWC) have recommended a calm, palliative approach, asserting that active rescue efforts are unlikely to succeed and could endanger the whale further.

Despite the grim outlook, Backhaus said a reassessment found that a less intrusive attempt could be justifiable. “The prognosis remains critical. But a chance of survival cannot be completely ruled out,” he stated. He added that he thanked the initiative for its efforts, emphasizing that the decision to proceed was based on updated expert evaluation.

Recent efforts have focused on reducing pressure on the whale’s body by reshaping the seabed to allow it to lie more naturally in the water. Its back has also been covered with wet cloths to protect it from sun exposure. A tracking device has been attached to the whale in case it moves again, following a brief swim-off on Monday after three weeks in one location. The whale stopped after about two hours near the entrance to Wismar Bay, which leads to the Baltic Sea.

The handling of Timmy’s case has drawn public attention and criticism, with officials warning against the spread of “wild conspiracy theories and misinformation” online. An exclusion zone has been established around the whale to ensure rescue operations can proceed without interference.

As of Thursday, April 16, 2026, rescuers are poised to begin the new attempt using air cushions. Whether this effort will succeed in returning Timmy to the North Sea—and potentially onward to the Atlantic—remains uncertain, but authorities say they are acting on the latest scientific advice to give the stranded whale every possible chance.