Threat of new tragedy: humpback whale ‘Hartwin’ is seen weakened off the coast of Germany
A new humpback whale has been identified in the Baltic Sea, causing concern. Named “Hartwin” by animal rights activists, the marine giant was recently spotted in a dangerous area near the German coastline.
For the second time in a short period, a humpback whale has entered the waters of the Baltic Sea. The animal in question appeared on June 20, sailing under a bridge that crosses the Little Belt Strait, and since then has been moving closer and closer to German territory.
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The organization “Stranded No More” has been following the movements of the whale, nicknamed “Hartwin”, recording irregular sightings. The last apparitions took place on July 4, on the drawbridge in the Danish city of Sønderborg, and the following day, July 5, near the Danish city of Egernsund.
From this location, the distance to Flensburg is approximately 15 kilometers as the crow flies, and to the northern tip of the German peninsula of Holnis, just three kilometers. According to “Stranded No More”, there is a high probability that “Hartwin” is already in German territorial waters.
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Monitoring of the ‘Hartwin’ whale reveals its trajectory and proximity to Germany
There is a strong fear among members of the organization that the whale “Hartwin” could repeat the sad fate of Timmy, another humpback that ran aground on the German coast of the Baltic Sea in March 2026, dying after a complex rescue operation. Activists express concern about the possibility of a new tragedy, pointing out that the current water temperature, around 19.5 degrees Celsius, is excessively high and “very uncomfortable” for the species. Furthermore, the low depth of the water, varying between 5 and 12 meters, makes it difficult to rise to the surface to breathe, forcing the animal to expend excessive energy and contributing to its weakening.
Whale expert Heiko Buch-Illing had previously issued a grim prognosis for Hartwin’s chances of survival, calling them slim. He observed that the whale moved with abnormal slowness, a clear sign that its health was already severely compromised. The pale color of its skin also reinforced the indication that the animal was not well, leading Buch-Illing to tell the news program “Newstime” that “there is no chance. He is going to die.”
The humpback whale appears to be actively seeking shallow waters, where it can rest without being disturbed and without needing to expend vital energy to rise and breathe. This condition, however, makes its stranding a matter of time.
