Humpback Whale on Anholt: Removal Expected Next Week

The remains of the humpback whale, affectionately nicknamed "Timmy," on the Danish island of Anholt are expected to be transported away early next week, according to Morten Abildstrøm of the Danish Nature Agency. Removal over the weekend is impractical due to limited operating hours for the companies involved. The whale's carcass will be dissected into smaller pieces during the necropsy before being placed in prepared containers for transport to the mainland and subsequent disposal.

Specialists arrived late Thursday afternoon for the long-awaited necropsy of the whale, which has been a subject of media attention for weeks. Initial observations involved a close examination of the yellow-brown carcass, with the team meticulously taking notes. Experts then measured the animal, proceeded to cut it open, and began an internal examination. Samples are to be collected for DNA analysis, and the animal's sex will be determined. The primary objective is to ascertain the cause of the whale's death.

Prior to the necropsy, a spokesperson for the ferry company Anholt Greena stated that the planned removal from the island for Thursday or Friday had been indefinitely postponed. Local residents are keen for the whale to be removed as soon as possible, fearing it could deter visitors from the popular beach. Typically, a specialized company like Daka Denmark handles the processing of whale carcasses, separating them into individual components at a factory. However, the company had not yet received a contract for this specific whale's disposal as of Wednesday.

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The carcass will be dissected into smaller pieces during the necropsy before being placed in prepared containers for transport to the mainland and subsequent disposal.