A dead whale was discovered off Denmark’s coast on Friday, May 15, 2026, near the small island of Anholt in the Kattegat Strait. Danish environmental authorities are investigating whether the animal is ‘Timi’ — a young male sperm whale released into the North Sea 12 days earlier after an extensive rescue operation.
A High-Profile Rescue
Timi had stranded on Germany’s Timendorfer Strand beach, where he remained for weeks before being moved in a specially designed water-filled transport trailer through a freshly dug channel. Funded by two German entrepreneurs, the unprecedented effort drew global attention and sparked debate among marine biologists.
Uncertainty Remains
Samples have already been collected from the deceased whale for analysis. According to Dorthe Kofod, spokesperson for Denmark’s Environmental Protection Agency, ‘We cannot rule out the possibility that this is Timi.’ Some experts had previously opposed the rescue, arguing that euthanasia or allowing a natural death would have been more humane — citing Timi’s apparent disorientation, poor health, and high stress risk during transport.