Be honest, did you know our domestic seas, the North Sea and the Baltic Sea are home to small whales? So-called porpoises. The sea mammals are approximately 1.60 meters and at first sight, remind of dolphins.
In August, we organized a trip with six bloggers to watch porpoises. Together with WDC (Whale & Dolphin Conservation), Kim Hartwig of the tourism cluster Schleswig-Holstein and Marion Muller of the Lifestylehotel SAND we spend half a day looking for porpoises and were lucky, we spotted a mother with calf. Porpoises are extremely shy and hence one must be concentrated to see the short flashing of the dorsal fin in the waves. We were so lucky to see a mother and her calf! 🙂
Endangered habitats
According to estimates only about 450 animals still live in the Baltic Sea, because the small whales are threatened with extinction. Bycatch with gillnets, the chemical soiling of the Baltic Sea, underwater noise and climate change leads to the fact that the natural living space of the porpoises becomes more and more destroyed.
In recent days, a terrible message has also made the round: In August this year, NATO carried out a blast in the Baltic Sea in a maneuver and defused naval mines laying on the ground still from the time of World War I. In the following weeks, a total of 18 porpoises were found on beaches around the Fehmarnbelt, according to NABU. Although the cause of death of the mammals has yet to be finally clarified, but hardly anyone doubts that there is a connection. Porpoises have a very fine auditory sense and such a blast in the ocean is very loud. According to SPIEGEL Online, a mine tore a crater of about five meters in diameter and one and a half meters deep into the protected reef. Because yes, you can hardly believe it, but the region is a designated marine reserve! It gets even worse when you know that during that time each year the porpoises are giving birth. Or to put it in the words of marine biologist Fabian Ritter of WDC:
“Military exercises in protected areas, even during the breeding season of porpoises, in the most sensitive time of the year? Isn’t that forbidden? The answer, unfortunately, is NO. ”
WDC has been committed to protecting marine mammals in the North and Baltic Seas for many years. Learn more about their great and valuable work on their website, where you can also sign up for sponsorships, learn exciting things about the animals and currently even participate in the advent calendar – this way!
Engagement for the environment
For many years, owners Marion and Lambertus Muller from Lifestylehotel SAND are involved in the protection of the environment at the Baltic Sea. Not only because they supported the blogger trip to raise awareness about the porpoises in August 2017. This year, they have a special activity planned for the Advent season: on their Christmas tree, there are little bags with cookies in the form of porpoises that guests can buy. 50% of the revenue goes to the WDC. They are also giving away a weekend in the advent calendar of the WDC – so try your luck!
SAND as far as the eye can see
The Mullers transformed the traditional Timmendorfer Hof into a stylish and sustainable place with a lot of charm. The abbreviation SAND stands for “Sand Aspires Natural Design” and connects a modern lifestyle with a focus on naturalness and sustainability. The natural material SAND runs like a red thread through the hotel. And so you want to sit on the terrace with your deck chair directly in the sand and never leave. All rooms are designed in maritime colors, with suitable, maritime accessories from the beach and flotsam. The focus is regional wherever you are and lets you feel at home during your precious vacation.
Deliciously vegan
The restaurant spoilt us with a vegan menu – simply delicious! The SAND not only offers an excellent kitchen but still a lot more for active vacationers, beach lovers or a relaxed time out.
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