The man who stepped in to cover all the costs was Walter Gunz, a German billionaire and co‑founder of MediaMarkt (Europe’s largest electronics retailer). He spent 1.5 million euros (approximately 55 million Thai baht) of his own money to fund the mission.
After Timmy’s death, Walter Gunz spoke to the media with tears in his eyes: It is the saddest thing in my life, but I do not regret it at all. If I could turn back time, I would still choose to help him, because we did it to give him the chance to breathe, despite all the controversy.
🕊️ The final chapter: Unmistakable GPS confirmation.
After Timmy was released into the North Sea on May 2, 2026, everyone hoped he would swim toward the Atlantic or the Arctic to recover. But a few days later, his GPS signal fell silent in a disturbing way.
Eventually, the lifeless body of a large whale was found drifting off the coast of Anholt Island in Denmark. 🇩🇰 At first, officials hesitated to confirm the identity due to decomposition. But a German veterinarian and a team of rescuers deployed divers, who successfully retrieved the tracking device. When they checked the serial number of the GPS unit, it was a 100% match with the one attached to Timmy. There was no doubt.
🇩🇰 A different perspective: Letting nature take its course.
While the news was treated as a national tragedy in Germany and attracted crowds of international journalists, authorities and locals in Denmark viewed the situation with calm acceptance. Danish law and their emergency plan for marine mammals follow a strict principle: “Let nature take its course.”
To avoid human disruption of the ecosystem, Danish authorities will not retrieve the carcass or bring Timmy back for a burial ceremony. Instead, they allow his body to decompose naturally in the sea. Flocks of seagulls have already begun to play their part in the natural cycle.
⚠️ A final warning from experts.
Timmy’s carcass is currently drifting further east. Danish authorities have issued a strict warning to tourists and residents to stay far away ❌. Decomposing whale carcasses build up massive amounts of internal gases and pose a serious risk of sudden explosion, in addition to the danger of spreading infectious diseases.
Although Timmy’s journey did not end with him majestically swimming back into the deep sea, his life managed to make humanity look closer, care more deeply, and better appreciate the great companions with whom we share this planet.
Rest in peace, Timmy… Return to the vast ocean you missed so dearly. 🐋💙
