Investigate
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Protect
53°58’23.4”N 11°25’54.0”E
Minutes of a rescue attempt
56°43’24.2”N 11°31’38.5”E
German Whale Rescue Operations (GWRO) is an independent, interdisciplinary unit for the follow-up, investigation and analysis of the large whale event Timmy/Hope in Germany.
Investigate
This platform was commissioned by the German entrepreneur Karin Walter-Mommert. The technical operation of this platform, as well as the results of all diligent independent methods of investigation, research, contributing media, and specialist bodies, are hereby made available for your information.
The subject of the investigation is the rescue attempt and live recovery of the humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae), which was present in Polish waters of the Baltic Sea in 2025 and German waters in 2026, most recently in the Kirchsee in the federal state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. The review is based on an independent examination of available information, as well as on independent research and information gathering.
Document
The documentation of all investigation steps, records and evidence will be continuously published and updated at this point as soon as new findings become available.
News
Operate & Protect
130,000
YouTube
Live spectators at the release of the whale.
300 sqm
DISTANCE
One of the most extraordinary documented live transports of a wild great whale as part of a rescue attempt.
85h
DURATION
Transport of the live humpback whale at sea.
The rescue operation for the humpback whale Timmy/Hope attracted worldwide attention. For the first time in the history of the Federal Republic of Germany, a large whale was to be rescued alive and returned to suitable waters with the support of specialised equipment and technology. The operation, led by a private rescue initiative, required the short-term planning and coordination of an extraordinary technical and logistical measure.
Based on the experience gained, GWRO is in a position to develop its own rescue protocol for comparable large cetacean events.
However, effective large whale rescue is only possible if state responsibilities and specialised operational expertise work together in a binding manner.
