Based on information from the organizers and the funders of the rescue effort, we understand that Timmy the humpback whale was released into the ocean by the captain of the tugboat and his crew at approximately 8:45 am, local time, today May 2nd.
The release operation by the captain and his crew was conducted without the participation of the veterinarians, the Whale Sanctuary Project team, and the other experts who were caring for Timmy and were scheduled to conduct his safe release into the ocean.
In London, the Guardian newspaper, whose reports we have been following, last wrote that “The 10-metre long calf swam out of the barge and was later observed blowing through its blowhole and swimming freely “in the right direction”, according to Karin Walter-Mommert from the rescue initiative.”
And the Associated Press added that “the whale was released 70 kilometers (about 45 miles) from the coast of Skagen, Denmark” and that “Drone footage showed a whale swimming and spouting water near the barge, though it was not immediately confirmed that the animal was indeed Timmy.”
Shortly after the captain and his crew released Timmy, the funders of the rescue effort issued a statement in German. Here is the English translation:
Concerning the events this morning
Karin Walter-Mommert
May 2, 2026
We hereby state that we were neither involved in today’s release operation concerning the whale nor did we actively accompany it. Any consequences resulting from uncoordinated actions this morning concerning and around the whale shall be borne by the owner, the operators, and the crew members of the vessels Fortuna B and Robin Hood known to us.
We hereby expressly distance ourselves from the events and the manner in which the whale was set free. As we are still in the process of investigating, no names will be released at this time. We ask for your understanding.
For clarification: A second release attempt had been scheduled for May 2, 2026, naturally dependent on the whale’s health status.
Our team was to be brought to the barge in the morning, keeping in mind that every kilometer of safe transport in a north-westerly direction would increase the whale’s chances of survival.
Contrary to this arrangement, only one of our team members, Jeffrey Foster, was transferred to the tugboat by the ship crew, but not to the barge; the veterinarians were, for whatever reason, put off with
a promise of a later transfer, which never took place; and Jeffrey’s team members were also not picked up and brought to the barge by the ship crew as planned and scheduled.
On board the barge, none of the measures previously discussed, scheduled, communicated to us, and planned were then taken to get the whale off the vessel; neither was a required inspection by our veterinarians and examination of the whale allowed to take place.
Mr. Jeffrey Foster’s urgent request to have his teammates and the veterinarians brought on board immediately, as previously scheduled, was denied by the ship crew. Likewise, he was forbidden, during the course of these events, to use his mobile phone, under threat that it would be thrown into the sea.
To clarify: Jeffrey Foster did in no way participate in the actions of the ship crew. On the contrary — he tried to prevent the shipping crew from conducting their actions, but was hindered to do so.
Further details will follow after evaluation.
Karin Walter-Mommert
Walter Gunz
We will post further updates as they become available.