German rescuers plan air cushions to save Timmy the stranded whale
German rescuers are trying a new plan to save Timmy, a humpback whale stuck in the Baltic Sea for weeks. They will use air cushions to lift the whale onto a tarp attached to pontoons and a tugboat.
A humpback whale nicknamed Timmy has been trapped in Baltic Sea waters for weeks, and German rescuers are now trying their most complex rescue plan yet.
The new approach uses air cushions to gently lift the whale onto a large tarp. The tarp will be secured between two pontoons and pulled by a tugboat to move Timmy to deeper water where he can swim free.
Previous rescue attempts have failed to help the struggling animal. The whale appears to be sick or injured, making it harder for him to navigate back to open ocean on his own.
Humpback whales don't normally live in the Baltic Sea. Timmy likely got lost while migrating or became too weak to find his way back to the Atlantic Ocean where his species belongs.
The rescue team includes marine biologists and specialized equipment operators. They're working carefully because moving such a large animal is dangerous for both the whale and rescuers.
This rescue shows how hard it is to save large marine animals when they get lost or sick. Whales play a key role in ocean health, and successful rescues help scientists learn better ways to help stranded sea life.
Rescuers will attempt the air cushion rescue operation. If successful, they'll monitor Timmy's condition in deeper waters.
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