German Marine Museum Endures Online Hate Campaign Over Humpback Whale Rescue

Months after the rescue of a humpback whale, affectionately nicknamed 'Timmy,' off the Baltic coast, the German Marine Museum in Stralsund is still facing a barrage of online hate and threats. Museum representatives stated that the "shitstorm" began around mid-March and has persisted ever since, with numerous messages targeting both the scientific experts and the museum's individual branches.

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Since about mid-March, we have been exposed to a shitstorm that continues to this day.

The situation escalated after a high-profile influencer publicly challenged the scientific community and non-governmental organizations involved with the whale. This sparked a wave of hostile comments, threats, and messages across social media, emails, and phone calls. Some messages expressed extreme hostility, with one individual writing, "I will tear you apart publicly – this is not a threat, but a promise."

The museum spokesperson explained that the animosity intensified when the museum and other experts advised allowing the whale to die naturally. This recommendation led to the formation of groups actively campaigning against the museum. Researchers have been accused of deliberate failure to provide aid and of intentionally letting the whale die to acquire its skeleton for exhibition or sale.

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I will tear you apart publicly – this is not a threat, but a promise.

Due to the intense harassment, all museum employees who were publicly named have applied for data protection orders to prevent their personal information from being shared. Staff expressed fear of being confronted in public, leading them to temporarily remove their team page from the museum's website. Museum director Burkard Baschek also reported that family members of staff had been contacted, indicating a significant invasion of privacy. Police are investigating several incidents related to the museum, including potential offenses of insult and threat.

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We were all afraid of being approached on the street if we were recognized.