Even though Horst might not be identified via Photo-ID because of his uniform fur pattern, you can easily recognize him because of his immense scar across his belly. Where exactly he got this scar from is unknown.
Eyewittnesses however reported him dragging himself on to the beach heavily bleeding. Noone was sure he would have a chance to survive. He was already quite enfeebled. Like many other injured animals (i.e. harbour seals with big skin lesions) it is supposed, that Horst intentionally came to Helgoland to find cure. The cause is an algae named Laminaria saccharina which is the strongest iodine collecting algae in the plant kingdom. The animals use this algae to support the healing of wounds. The “Düne” is used as a sanatorium.

Gladly somehow he managed to survive this major trauma. Now he visits the “Düne” mostly during winter, where he prefers the Aade beach.