Trending Now - Rescuers Attempt to Refloat Stranded Humpback Whale in Baltic Sea

WHO:

Rescue teams in northern Germany

Carsten Mannheimer, marine conservation organization Sea Shepherd

WHAT:

Rescue teams are working to refloat a stranded humpback whale.

The whale is approximately 10 meters long (30 feet).

Earlier rescue efforts on March 23rd, 2026, involved police boats, inflatable boats, and firefighter drones, which were unsuccessful.

The whale is still alive, breathing, making sounds, and occasionally lifting its head.

WHERE:

Timmendorfer Strand beach, northern Germany

Baltic Sea

Port of Wismar, eastern Germany

WHEN:

Rescue efforts began on March 23rd, 2026.

Experts gathered on March 24th, 2026, to continue rescue efforts.

High tide occurred around midnight on March 24th, 2026.

WHY:

The whale is believed to be a young male, which tend to migrate, and it has been spotted multiple times in the port of Wismar in recent weeks.

HOW:

Experts are attempting to pull the whale off the ground using various rescue methods.

(UPDATED March 24, 2026 13:46 UTC)

Rescue teams in northern Germany are currently working to refloat a stranded humpback whale, which measures about 10 meters long and is still alive, breathing, and making sounds. Efforts began yesterday, and despite previous attempts using police boats, inflatable boats, and firefighter drones, the whale remains stuck at Timmendorfer Strand beach, with experts now gathering to continue the rescue as high tide occurred around midnight today. This young male whale has been spotted multiple times in the port of Wismar in recent weeks, and teams are employing various methods to pull it off the ground.