Humpback Whale Spotted Again Off German Baltic Coast; Ministry Discusses Measures
On July 18, 2026, the Schleswig-Holstein Ministry of the Environment confirmed a humpback whale sighting at the entrance to the Kiel Fjord, near Heiligenhafen, Germany. The whale, previously observed in Scotland and Denmark, is believed to be sick based on its appearance and behavior, according to the Danish Environmental Protection Agency. The German Oceanographic Museum received two sighting reports but could not confirm if it is the same whale seen off Denmark in recent weeks. The ministry urged the public to maintain a large distance and avoid boat traffic near the animal to prevent stress. Authorities have prepared a reporting chain in case of stranding but stated that a whale sighting alone does not justify government intervention. The whale was last seen moving slowly back toward open sea.
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