A humpback whale named “Timmy,” which had been stranded multiple times near Germany’s Baltic Sea coast, was successfully rescued and released into the North Sea off Denmark after a dramatic weeks-long ordeal. After failing to free itself from a sandbank near Lübeck and unsuccessful initial rescue attempts, two wealthy entrepreneurs financed a daring plan to transport the whale in a water-filled barge back to its natural habitat. Despite some expert criticism, the operation succeeded when Timmy exited the barge and swam away with only minor injuries.

The rescue captivated the public and media, sparking widespread attention and debate. Rescuers had to dig a special channel and use straps to guide Timmy onto the barge, with veterinarians confirming the whale was fit for transport. Now released, Timmy is expected to swim north along the Norwegian coast toward the Arctic, marking a hopeful end to the whale’s harrowing experience.