A rescue operation to save a stranded whale off the German coast has ended in failure after the mammal was found dead on a Danish beach. The animal, a juvenile male sperm whale measuring approximately 12 metres in length, was first spotted in distress near the island of Sylt on Wednesday. German marine authorities, assisted by local volunteers, attempted to guide the whale back to deeper waters using acoustic deterrents and small boats.
Despite their efforts, the whale beached itself again on the Danish island of Rømø early on Friday. By the time Danish wildlife officials arrived, the whale had died. Preliminary examinations suggest the animal was severely malnourished and possibly disoriented due to disease.
This incident follows a trend of increased whale strandings in the North Sea, a phenomenon that scientists attribute to changing ocean temperatures and prey availability. The International Fund for Animal Welfare has called for a coordinated international response to improve rescue protocols.
