The German Oceanographic Museum in Stralsund continues to receive death threats and abusive messages roughly four months after the recovery of humpback whale Timmy, a spokesperson said. The harassment campaign, which began around mid-March, intensified after an influencer publicly questioned the expertise of the museum's scientists and affiliated NGOs.
Messages directed at staff have included calls to burn the museum down and wishes that employees "strand in hell." Employees have requested address restrictions from local authorities for their protection. Critics argue that rescue efforts caused the animal unnecessary stress and suffering.
The whale's carcass was discovered in mid-May near the Danish island of Anholt. The transport attempt that preceded the animal's death had been approved in mid-April by Mecklenburg-Vorpommern's Environment Minister Till Backhaus.