Schleswig-Holstein Ministry confirms humpback whale sighting at Kiel Fjord entrance

According to her own statements, the Dane Linda Frølund Hansen filmed the animal on June 20 from a bridge over the Little Belt, a strait between the regions of Jutland and Funen. Source: Linda Frølund Hansen/Bridgewalking/dpa

The Ministry of the Environment confirms a sighting off Heiligenhafen. According to the Danish Environmental Protection Agency, the whale's appearance and behavior suggest it is sick. The state of Schleswig-Holstein says it is prepared in the event of a stranding.

Sighting Reports Received Off Heiligenhafen

The German Oceanographic Museum received two sighting reports off Heiligenhafen between 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. on Thursday, a spokesperson told the German Press Agency.

"Unfortunately, the image and video material we have is of such poor quality that we cannot say exactly whether it is the humpback whale that has been off Denmark in recent weeks. However, the size and general appearance suggest this," the spokesperson said. The Lübecker Nachrichten had previously reported on the sightings.

In recent weeks, another humpback whale had been spotted off the Danish Baltic coast, including off Aarhus. Previously, according to the Danish Environmental Protection Agency, there had been sightings between Jutland and the island of Funen. Among others, a tour guide took a photo of the mammal.

Danish Authorities Warn of Sick Whale

According to the Danish Environmental Protection Agency, the whale's appearance and behavior suggested it was sick. The agency urgently called on people to keep their distance from the whale.

"It is particularly important not to sail near the animal or make contact with it in any other way," the authority stated. "If the whale is indeed sick, any disturbance means additional stress for it."

Ministry of the Environment Confirms Humpback Whale at Kiel Fjord

In the evening, the Schleswig-Holstein Ministry of the Environment confirmed the sighting of a humpback whale at the entrance to the Kiel Fjord after an on-site assessment.

"It is presumably the animal that was previously observed in Scotland and Denmark," the ministry said. "After a short stay in shallower waters, the whale has recently been moving slowly back towards the open sea."

Whether it was the same whale spotted off Heiligenhafen remained unclear. The ministry only confirmed the sighting at the Kiel Fjord, a spokesperson said.

Public Urged to Keep Distance

The ministry called for keeping a large distance when sightings occur and reporting strandings to local authorities.

"Dense ship and boat traffic in the vicinity represents a significant stress factor for the animals and should be avoided at all costs. Against this background, the Ministry of the Environment currently refrains from closer accompaniment of the animal," the authority announced in the evening.

Whales are protected wild animals and move freely through the seas, the Ministry of the Environment explained. "A whale sighting alone is therefore not a cause for concern and does not justify government intervention. Whether a whale strands depends on many factors and cannot be reliably assessed in advance."

Reporting Chain to Be Activated in Case of Stranding

In order to quickly reach an assessment and decision in the event of a stranding, the ministry stated that a reporting chain has been established to coordinate any necessary response.