Arabic version: إنقاذ ناجح لحنكليس عالق من المياه الألمانية

A humpback whale stranded on the German coast for more than five weeks has been successfully transported out of German waters via a barge, heading towards the North Sea. This operation followed several unsuccessful attempts to coax the whale away from shallow waters. According to BBC News, the whale was coaxed into a water-filled barge on Tuesday, funded by two German entrepreneurs.

Despite the operation’s success, marine experts have expressed skepticism about the whale’s chances of survival. An expert panel from the International Whaling Commission indicated that while the efforts were well-intentioned, the whale appeared severely compromised. Till Backhaus, the environment minister of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, celebrated the rescue as a significant achievement for Germany.

The whale, which had spent 29 days stranded near the island of Poel, was reported to be in good spirits during the transport, even singing at night. The barge, named Fortuna B, is now navigating through the Baltic Sea towards Danish waters, with plans to reach the North Sea.

While the rescue team expressed optimism, wildlife groups remain cautious about the whale’s future. The Whale and Dolphin Conservation warned that the animal’s long-term survival prospects are bleak due to skin damage and the need for recovery before it can find food independently. Marine biologist Fabian Ritter noted the whale’s apparent will to live but cautioned that the unprecedented nature of this rescue makes its outcome uncertain.