Humpback whale within the Baltic Sea: “His assumptions were 100 percent wrong” – Mayor blames whale rescuer | EUROtoday

The mayor of Timmendorfer Strand, Sven Partheil-Böhnke (FDP), makes severe allegations towards influencer and animal filmmaker Robert Marc Lehmann in reference to the rescue makes an attempt for the humpback whale within the Baltic Sea. Partheil-Böhnke instructed “Bild” that Lehmann initially offered himself as a reliable knowledgeable through the operation, however working with him was “very difficult”.

“I was a little surprised that his predictions and his assumptions were 100 percent wrong.” There had been additionally skilled tensions with the Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research (ITAW).

The mayor was significantly harsh in his criticism that, in his view, Lehmann positioned extra worth on photographs and movies for social networks than on animal welfare. During the course of the mission, the impression arose that he was primarily thinking about taking good photographs of the whale. Doubts about Lehmann’s experience additionally grew attributable to statements concerning the animal’s anatomy, which precipitated astonishment among the many veterinarian current. The complete factor appeared unusual to the politician.

Biologist Lehmann complained about “active exclusion”

According to the mayor, Lehmann was not utterly excluded from the rescue work, however misplaced a central function within the operation. “He was no longer allowed to continue as leader on board the police ship. I actually took that away from him after he made the wrong decisions there.”

Lehmann had beforehand satisfied the emergency providers to vary the rescue technique: as an alternative of accompanying the whale on either side with boats, the animal was solely guided on one facet. “The whale escaped us in exactly that situation and we really lost valuable time finding the animal again.” Partheil-Böhnke then handed over operational administration to the ITAW. “And that, I think, deeply upset Lehmann.” The “T-Online” portal additionally reported on Partheil-Böhnke’s criticism of the “Whale Whisperer”.

Lehmann himself has not but commented on the allegations. His Instagram account has been deactivated. His affiliation Mission Erde eV instructed “Bild” that he was on a mission that required his full focus.

Marine biologist Lehmann shortly grew to become the face of the dramatic rescue operation for the whale when it grew to become stranded off Timmendorfer Strand. He posted movies on Instagram of himself standing or swimming subsequent to the animal within the chilly water.

The whale was then launched with the assistance of an excavator, however grew to become stranded once more. And Lehmann complained that he had been “actively excluded” from the rescue mission. Those accountable contradicted the illustration. Lehmann additionally accused the others concerned of performing incorrectly.

The humpback whale, additionally referred to as “Timmy” by “Bild”, wandered via the Baltic Sea exterior of its native habitat for a number of weeks and has now been caught off the island of Poel for days. According to consultants, the animal is dying.