Humpback Whale stranded in the Baltic Sea: Understanding Why Whales Lose Their Way
On Monday, 23 March, a humpback whale has been stranded in the shallow waters of the Bay of Lübeck, off Niendorf, in the Baltic Sea, far from any ocean it should call home. For days, thousands of people watched, hoped, and asked: can it be saved? Overnight, the whale freed itself from the sandbank under its own power and moved into deeper water. A moment of relief, but not yet a rescue.
For days, a humpback whale lay stranded on a sandbank in the Bay of Lübeck, drawing the attention of thousands of people in Germany and far beyond. Rescue teams, including the German marine biologist Robert Marc Lehmann, worked tirelessly to give the animal a chance. Overnight, the whale freed itself from the sandbank under its own power and moved into deeper water. By morning, it was no longer visible from the shore, though it has not yet left the area. This is an important first step. But it is not yet a rescue.
OceanCare shares the relief of all those who have followed this situation so closely. And we want to offer the context needed to properly understand what has unfolded, and what may still lie ahead.
The whale is far from home
The Baltic Sea is not a suitable habitat for humpback whales. It is far too shallow and does not provide the food these animals need. While humpback whales are not a common species in the North Sea either, sightings there have been increasing, including around the Dogger Bank, an area also significant for another baleen whale species, the minke whale. Researchers are still working to better understand why these increasing occurrences are taking place.
What caused this particular animal to end up in the Baltic Sea remains an open question. One that is unlikely to be answered quickly, and that is subject to much speculation in the meantime.
Why do whales strand?
Whale and dolphin strandings happen for many different reasons. A few key distinctions help frame any situation: First, strandings involve both animals that are still alive and animals that wash ashore already dead. Second, animals may strand individually or in groups. These factors alone can already help narrow down the possible causes.
Dead animals washed ashore are often victims of harmful human activities in the ocean. Physical evidence can indicate whether an animal suffocated in fishing gear or was struck by a ship. Live strandings may result from viral infections, illness, or disorientation. Intense underwater noise, e.g. from military or seismic activities, can also cause animals to strand alive and injured. When multiple animals from different species strand within a limited timeframe and geographic area, these so-called atypical stranding events are likely linked to impulsive noise. In the case of the Niendorf humpback whale, however, such a cause appears unlikely.
A moment of relief, but the outcome remains uncertain
In Germany, certified federal agencies are responsible for responding to stranded animals. Veterinary professionals are responsible for properly assessing the animal’s condition.
A whale stranded for several days faces a deeply serious situation. Outside of the water, a whale’s internal organs are subjected to unnatural pressure from the animal’s own weight, causing damage that compounds with every passing hour. Throughout the rescue operation, one thing was clear: the animal needed to be kept as calm as possible. Noise, crowds, and hectic activity around the whale caused additional stress and suffering. The whale’s ability to free itself is encouraging. But the physical consequences of a prolonged stranding can be severe and irreversible. If the whale has sustained significant internal damage, it is far from safe and there is a real risk that it may re-strand or not survive.
OceanCare has been active in many regions of the world supporting the establishment of rescue and stranding networks, including providing equipment, promoting training of expert staff, advising authorities, and facilitating exchange between specialists. Many such efforts have been successful, contributing to the rescue of dozens of animals.
This incident reminds us of our shared responsibility
The fact, that the whale was able to free itself, is a moment of cautious hope, And yet the attention this whale has drawn, from people across Germany and far beyond its borders, speaks to something important. It reminds us of our responsibility: to care for the future of these animals, and to engage in making the ocean a resilient and healthy place once again.