The death of Timmy the stranded whale has sparked a debate about the ethics of animal welfare and human intervention. While the public's desire to save Timmy was understandable, the decision to rescue him ultimately led to his demise. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of prioritizing animal welfare over human sentimentality, and the need to learn from past mistakes, such as the ill-fated rescue of Keiko the orca in the film Free Willy. Instead of spending vast sums of money on individual animal rescues, we should be investing in broader marine conservation efforts. By doing so, we can ensure that the welfare of marine animals is our top priority, and that we are not simply playing the role of saviour for the sake of our own emotions.