Watch live: Rescuers in Germany work to free humpback whale stranded in Baltic Sea

German rescuers are working to free a humpback whale trapped in shallow waters off the country's north coast in the Baltic Sea. Humpback whales are migratory species that typically inhabit deeper ocean waters, making stranding in shallow areas life-threatening as the animals cannot sustain themselves in confined spaces for extended periods. The rescue operation is time-sensitive because prolonged stranding can lead to injury, dehydration, or death as the whale's weight and physiology are not adapted to remaining in shallow water. Humpbacks occasionally become disoriented during migration or follow food sources into coastal areas where they become stuck, though such incidents remain relatively rare in the Baltic region. The outcome will depend on whether rescuers can safely guide the animal back to deeper water before its condition deteriorates.