Private rescue mission continues to free whale stranded off Germany

However, transporting the whale to the North Sea via a tug was not possible. Rescuers were also unable to check the animal's mouth to determine if a piece of net remained in its baleen. Veterinarian Janine Bahr-van Gemmert, who is involved in the rescue attempt, said the rescue operation was making good progress. We're doing the best we can for the whale, said Bahr-van Gemmert, who runs a seal centre on the North Sea island of Föhr. She rejected criticism of the action from scientists and other experts. These people didn't see this whale. We saw it on site. She reiterated that the whale had a real chance for survival. Scientists and other experts recently agreed, after an extensive assessment, that the whale needed rest and further interventions would cause the animal massive damage. The whale has been stranded in Wismar Bay since March 31, after becoming stranded multiple times in the preceding weeks. Due to the whale's state of health, authorities suspended major rescue operations on April 1 to let the whale die in peace.