Accessed: July 24, 2026, 3:03 p.m.
This morning a whale appeared in the Flensburg Fjord. The Ministry of the Environment suggests that it is a humpback whale from the Kiel Fjord, and this has been confirmed by a Danish whale researcher.
On Friday morning, several eyewitnesses reported the sighting of a whale in the Flensburg Fjord. The Ministry of the Environment has now said that it is most likely a humpback whale, which was spotted in the Kiel Fjord a few days ago and previously in Danish waters.
“So of course we can’t say this with certainty, but it goes without saying that this is the same animal that has already been spotted in Scotland, Denmark and most recently in the Kiel Fjord,” a spokeswoman for the Environment Ministry said. “Outwardly, you can see that the skin is slightly discolored. This has already been seen in Kiel. Besides, we don’t have any information about the whale’s health.”
The whale is probably sick and weakened
An eyewitness reported that the whale appeared sick and weakened. Danish whale researcher Karl Christian Kinze also told NDR Schleswig-Holstein that based on photographs, the humpback whale was likely old or unhealthy. The appearance of his skin and light coloring were suggestive of a fungus, a possible sign of a weakened immune system or adverse environmental conditions. He confirmed to NDR Schleswig-Holstein that it was a humpback whale from the Kiel Fjord.
This morning a whale caused a stir in the Flensburg Fjord. Police confirm the sighting of a larger whale.
Water police introduce safety measures
According to the Ministry of the Environment, the whale initially swam towards the inner fjord, but soon turned around and moved towards Glücksburg (Schleswig-Flensburg region). During the day he was seen again and again in the area of the Flensburg Fjord.
Water police have been monitoring the animal since this morning. According to police, the Travemünde shipping center was also informed in order to ensure traffic safety on the Flensburg Fjord. Anyone who sees the whale should keep their distance and leave the animal alone, the ministry said.
The Ministry is constantly informed about developments. “Essentially, we have set up a reporting chain when large whales are sighted, but especially when strandings occur, so that we are quickly informed,” the spokeswoman said. If this happens, the decision will be made jointly with experts, as well as with the local authorities or the affected municipality.
The whale was last seen in the Danish Baltic Sea. Now a humpback whale has been seen leaving the Kiel Fjord.
Humpback whale spotted in different places
A humpback whale has been swimming in the Baltic Sea since last week. According to the Ministry of the Environment, it was last seen on Saturday in Kiel’s inner fjord, near Hörnbrücke. He also already appeared in front of Heiligenhafen (district Ostholstein). The ministry estimates its length to be about ten meters.
A humpback whale swims in the Kiel fjord. The Ministry of the Environment was informed quickly – thanks to a new reporting chain.
The remains of a humpback whale are being processed. Some bones end up in a museum, but many questions remain unanswered.
First he was lost in the Baltic Sea, then abandoned in the North Sea – and finally found dead off the coast of Denmark.