Till Backhaus

"The prognosis remains critical. But a chance of survival cannot be completely ruled out."

"Against this background, it is justifiable to allow this attempt, and I thank the initiative for it."

"The outpouring of sympathy shows how deeply the animal's fate moves people."

"criminal complaints would be filed as necessary."

"I've always said, those who do nothing make no mistakes."

""I saw for myself how contented he feels in the barge," he said, admitting he too had cried as he watched the operation."

"criminal complaints would be filed as necessary."

"If everything goes well, it will be in the North Sea in two days."

"Till Backhaus hailed the operation as a success and an 'example for Germany of what can be done'."

"It was always a matter of weighing up which option was the worst: waiting for the animal’s certain death in agony or giving him one last chance and potentially exposing him to stress."