DNA Tests Cast Doubt on Whether Famous Humpback Whale Timmy Actually Died

The story of world-famous humpback whale Timmy may not be over. After stranding multiple times along the German coast in March and April, Timmy was the subject of a massive international rescue operation - one that some animal advocates called animal cruelty, arguing the weakened whale should have been left to die.

Despite the controversy, authorities approved the rescue, which drew global media attention and took days to complete. Timmy was released back into the wild.

Then in May, a dead whale washed ashore near the Danish island of Anholt. Timmy's tracker was found near the carcass. Location data and visible injuries all pointed to the celebrity whale. Case closed.

But now, a new DNA test has thrown everything into question. Samples taken from Timmy before his release and from the carcass were sent to a lab in China. According to German newspaper Bild, the DNA does not match.

There are lingering doubts about how the samples were collected, stored and transported - meaning errors or even tampering cannot be ruled out. But the analysis itself is reportedly 99% reliable.

Adding to the confusion: the stranded whale turned out to be female. Timmy had always been considered male.