A stranded humpback whale named Timmy has disappeared into the North Sea following a rescue mission that cost millions of pounds.
The 12-tonne mammal left its transport barge at approximately 8.45am local time earlier today, just off the Danish coast.
"Timmy is now swimming on its own and freely, and at least for the time being, in the right direction," Karin Walter-Mommert from the rescue initiative said.
The 40-foot whale was first discovered stuck on a sandbank near Luebeck on March 23, more than its 600 miles from its natural Atlantic habitat.
Over the following weeks, the animal repeatedly freed itself only to become stranded again in the shallow Baltic waters.
The whale had blown a "great fountain" as it swam away as it bid farewell to its rescuers, Walter Gunz, one of two millionaires funding the rescue, confirmed.
At first, the helpers initially attempted to remove a fishing net tangled around the whale, hoping this would allow it to reach deeper waters.
When that failed, heavy machinery was used to dig a trench creating a channel for the whale's escape.
The whale was stuck for weeks in the shallow waters
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The marine mammal managed to leave the coast for a fleeting amount of time - but became stranded almost immediately afterwards.
Timmy suffered from a freshwater skin disease that caused blister-like blemishes across its body, with part of the fishing net still caught in its mouth.
The animal grew increasingly lethargic, barely moving for weeks while lying with part of its back exposed above the shallow water.
In early April, German officials stirred up public outrage after it said it would abandon all rescue plans, declaring the whale could not be saved.
Even animal welfare organisations said the rescue attempts were "inadvisable", with the International Whaling Commission saying the creature "appeared to be severely compromised" and was "unlikely to survive" efforts to move it.
Burkard Baschek, director of the Oceanographic Museum in Stralsund, described continuing rescue efforts as "pure animal cruelty".
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The whale was released into a barge as it swam free
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"A rescue attempt is no longer worthwhile this has been confirmed to us repeatedly by international colleagues," he warned ahead of the mission.
Greenpeace marine biologist Thilo Maack commented: "I believe the whale will die very soon now. And I would also like to raise the question: What is actually so bad about that?
"Yes, animals live, animals die. This animal is really, really, very, very, very sick. And it has decided to seek rest."
Nevertheless, public fury over the whale abandonment drove authorities to change course.
Rescuers attempted to save Timmy the whale
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Two wealthy entrepreneurs proposed a privately funded rescue plan, vowing to save the mammal "whatever it costs" - and subsequently sparking a national sensation.
As soon as the movement began, fans of Timmy were baking whale-shaped cakes, composing songs, and getting tattoos of the animal.
While the initial attempt using inflatable cushions and pontoons failed, rescuers then devised another plan involving a water-filled barge half the length of a football pitch.
On Tuesday, the whale was guided through a dredged channel into the flooded vessel, with the operation broadcast live.
As rescuers swam alongside, the whale accelerated and entered the barge voluntarily, welcomed with cheers from onlookers.
"I can't even say how happy I am," Mr Walter-Mommert celebrated.