The humpback whale stranded in Poel was successfully loaded onto the transport barge to the cheers of the helpers. After a team of experts prepared the animal for recovery in shallow water this morning, it was secured to the special pontoon without incident. The barge will now be used for a controlled transport to the North Sea.
After the Rescue operation had to be cancelled a fortnight ago due to high water levels, the delicate manoeuvre now appears to have been a success. In the early hours of the morning, the whale was medically stabilised by specialists, kept continuously wet and secured with soft lifting straps before finally being brought into its current position between the pontoons.
Risky poton manoeuvre
As planned The animal's pectoral fins were first carefully removed from the silt and then lifting bags were placed under the torso. Bedded on a special tarpaulin and secured between the pontoons, the whale is now to be manoeuvred out of the shallow bay in a tow. Even though the humpback whale has now been safely loaded, the situation remains critical: experts continue to warn of the considerable stress the transport will place on the organism. In addition, there have been conflicting reports for days about the actual condition of the animal.
Change of course at the ministry
Since the beginning of March Numerous attempts to free the humpback whale. However, as the Ministry of the Environment considered a successful rescue to be hopeless, the authorities discontinued their efforts after a few weeks. The present concept for the whale rescue now enables a "responsible reassessment based on new technical possibilities", according to the Ministry of the Environment's press release. The private initiative must bear the costs and risks in full itself. Veterinarians will monitor the operation on site.
David Ingelfinger
Volontär
