Whale autopsy on Danish beach promises to be graphic

The Danish island of Anholt is set to host a public autopsy of a humpback whale carcass, nicknamed 'Timmy,' on Thursday. Veterinarians and whale experts will conduct the examination on the beach, collecting scientific samples and investigating the cause of the whale's death.

Experts have warned the procedure will not be for the faint of heart. The whale has been lying in the sun for two weeks, and the decomposition process has caused significant bloating due to gases. "The whale has already been lying in the sun for a very long time and will stink a lot," warned Danish whale researcher Peter Teglgaard Madsen.

The examination will involve measuring the animal, determining its sex, and taking skin samples for DNA testing. The team will document external injuries and search for signs of disease and parasites. Madsen described the process of cutting into the carcass as potentially "violent," comparing it to piercing a balloon due to the internal pressure.

Investigators will also examine the whale's organs for internal bleeding and check its lungs for signs of drowning, though Madsen noted that the decomposition might make this difficult. The whale's digestive system will be searched for plastic and fishing materials, as Madsen stated that four of the last six stranded humpback whales in Denmark had prior contact with fishing nets, which likely contributed to their deaths.

Originally, authorities attempted to tow the carcass to a harbor, but this failed. The remains will be transported to a mainland processing facility after the autopsy.