Uncertainty Surrounds Launch of Timmy the Humpback Whale – The Whale Sanctuary Project

Based on info from the organizers and the funders of the rescue effort, we perceive that Timmy the humpback whale was launched into the ocean by the captain of the tugboat and his crew at roughly 8:45 am, native time, right now May 2nd.

The launch operation by the captain and his crew was performed with out the participation of the veterinarians, the Whale Sanctuary Project crew, and the opposite specialists who have been caring for Timmy and have been scheduled to conduct his protected launch into the ocean.

In London, the Guardian newspaper, whose stories we’ve got been following, final wrote that “The 10-metre long calf swam out of the barge and was later observed blowing through its blowhole and swimming freely “in the right direction”, in accordance with Karin Walter-Mommert from the rescue initiative.”

And the Associated Press added that “the whale was released 70 kilometers (about 45 miles) from the coast of Skagen, Denmark” and that “Drone footage showed a whale swimming and spouting water near the barge, though it was not immediately confirmed that the animal was indeed Timmy.”

Shortly after the captain and his crew launched Timmy, the funders of the rescue effort issued an announcement in German. Here is the English translation:

Concerning the occasions this morning

Karin Walter-Mommert

May 2, 2026

We hereby state that we have been neither concerned in right now’s launch operation in regards to the whale nor did we actively accompany it. Any penalties ensuing from uncoordinated actions this morning regarding and across the whale shall be borne by the proprietor, the operators, and the crew members of the vessels Fortuna B and Robin Hood identified to us.

We hereby expressly distance ourselves from the occasions and the style during which the whale was let loose. As we’re nonetheless within the means of investigating, no names can be launched presently. We ask to your understanding.

For clarification: A second launch try had been scheduled for May 2, 2026, naturally depending on the whale’s well being standing.

Our crew was to be dropped at the barge within the morning, maintaining in thoughts that each kilometer of protected transport in a north-westerly course would improve the whale’s possibilities of survival.

Contrary to this association, solely considered one of our crew members, Jeffrey Foster, was transferred to the tugboat by the ship crew, however to not the barge; the veterinarians have been, for no matter purpose, postpone with

a promise of a later switch, which by no means passed off; and Jeffrey’s crew members have been additionally not picked up and dropped at the barge by the ship crew as deliberate and scheduled.

On board the barge, not one of the measures beforehand mentioned, scheduled, communicated to us, and deliberate have been then taken to get the whale off the vessel; neither was a required inspection by our veterinarians and examination of the whale allowed to happen.

Mr. Jeffrey Foster’s pressing request to have his teammates and the veterinarians introduced on board instantly, as beforehand scheduled, was denied by the ship crew. Likewise, he was forbidden, in the course of the course of those occasions, to make use of his cell phone, underneath risk that it could be thrown into the ocean.

To make clear: Jeffrey Foster did under no circumstances take part within the actions of the ship crew. On the opposite — he tried to forestall the delivery crew from conducting their actions, however was hindered to take action.

Further particulars will observe after analysis.

Karin Walter-Mommert
Walter Gunz

We will publish additional updates as they turn out to be obtainable.