The signal from the transmitter attached to the whale broke between May 6 and 7, Minister Backhaus announced on Friday in Schwerin. After that, the animal likely died and drifted. The whale covered a distance of 215 kilometers and did not die immediately after release, Backhaus said. This refutes many of the criticisms leveled against the rescue operation in recent weeks.
Backhaus had allowed the rescue attempt by a private initiative despite scientific advice to the contrary. The whale was transported from the Bay of Wismar to the North Sea on a barge. Marine biologists had called the transport animal cruelty and warned that the sick animal would die soon anyway. According to the minister, the autopsy found no evidence of violence or injuries during transport.
Backhaus defended his actions as legally and professionally justifiable. The rescue attempt to bring the whale to the North Sea was successful. He acknowledged that Germany is not prepared for strandings of such animals and that there is a need for improvement.
Source: www.faz.net
