"The International Whaling Commission had repeatedly criticized efforts to move Timmy from the shallow waters where he had been found, arguing that 'these interventions, although well meant, impose very considerable additional stress upon a creature that is already gravely ill, to little ultimate benefit.'"
"After Saturday's successful release, the IWC said it could acknowledge 'the considerable technical, logistical and financial effort' the rescue required, but warned that this was not necessarily a fairytale ending to Timmy's story."
"'Release into this area is the beginning of any recovery process, not its conclusion,' the group said in a statement. 'A successful rescue will become evident over time if the animal can swim, survive the serious physiological effects of prolonged stranding and transport, return to suitable habitat, resume normal feeding, and regain health.'"
Timmy, a 40-foot humpback whale, was released into the North Sea after being stranded in shallow waters near Germany for several weeks. The rescue mission, funded by two German millionaires, was the fifth attempt to return Timmy to deeper waters. While footage showed Timmy swimming away, experts expressed concerns about the whale's compromised health and the stress of the rescue efforts. The International Whaling Commission acknowledged the rescue's challenges but cautioned that this release may not guarantee Timmy's recovery or survival.
Read at www.npr.org
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