The state that is deliberately torturing a living whale to death so its publicly funded museum can get a free skeleton.
For 14 days, Buckelwal Timmy has been left to rot alive in the shallow waters of the Wismarer Bucht. He is motionless, breathing only at ever-longer intervals, suffering lung collapse, pressure necrosis, hyperthermia and infected skin ulcers — fully conscious the entire time. International science offers clear, proven methods to end his suffering humanely. The government of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, led by Environment Minister Till Backhaus, has rejected every single one.
This is not negligence.
This is calculated, state-sponsored animal cruelty.
The German Oceanographic Museum in Stralsund has already claimed Timmy’s carcass. After his death, the body will be transported to Dänholm for necropsy. The museum — financed by the state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and the federal government — will receive a complete or near-complete humpback whale skeleton for free. Because these animals are strictly protected, there is no legal market. Letting Timmy die slowly is the cheapest and easiest way for the museum to get its trophy.
The museum’s director stood beside Backhaus in the decisive press conference and supported the decision to abandon rescue and reject euthanasia. The same institution that advises the state directly profits from Timmy’s prolonged death.
This is institutional greed dressed up as policy.
We therefore demand an immediate, total and uncompromising tourist boycott:
- Do not travel to Mecklenburg-Vorpommern under any circumstances. Not one single euro for hotels, restaurants, ferries, beaches, national parks or any tourism activity in the entire state.
- Boycott the German Oceanographic Museum Stralsund completely. No tickets, no exhibitions, no donations, no merchandise.
- Cancel every existing booking to the region and demand full refunds.
- Publicly pressure every travel agency, airline, influencer and booking platform to remove all offers for Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and the museum until further notice.
- If you have already booked: Cancel now and tell the provider exactly why — animal cruelty by the state.
This boycott remains in force until:
- Minister Till Backhaus is held personally accountable for the deliberate prolongation of Timmy’s suffering.
- An independent investigation exposes the conflict of interest between the ministry and the museum.
- The state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern issues a binding guarantee that animal welfare will never again be sacrificed for the scientific or financial benefit of publicly funded institutions.
Every tourist who still visits Mecklenburg-Vorpommern or the museum right now is actively financing and legitimising political animal cruelty.
Stay away. Do not be complicit. Do not fund the torture of a sentient being.
Mecklenburg-Vorpommern has chosen institutional greed over basic morality. The world must answer with its wallets.
Boycott Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. Boycott the German Oceanographic Museum. Now.
No exceptions. No excuses. No mercy for a state that lets a whale rot alive for a museum exhibit.
