A beluga whale named “Hvaldimir,” initially discovered off the coast of Norway near Russian waters wearing a harness that fueled speculation of espionage, has been found deceased. The carcass of the white beluga was sighted floating in Risavika Bay in southern Norway by a fishing duo over the weekend.
The marine mammal, dubbed “Hvaldimir” as a combination of the Norwegian word for whale and Russian President Putin’s name, was later retrieved from the water using a crane and transported to a nearby harbor for further examination by experts. Marine biologist Sebastian Stand, representing the Marine Mind non-profit organization that has been tracking Hvaldimir for three years, expressed shock over the sudden demise, stating that the cause of death remains undetermined.
At 4.2 meters (14 feet) in length and weighing 1,225 kilograms (2,700 pounds), Hvaldimir was first sighted by fishermen close to Ingøya island near Hammerfest, wearing a peculiar harness suggesting potential surveillance equipment. This led to speculation of Hvaldimir being involved in espionage activities for Russia, considering reports of the Russian navy training whales for military purposes.
Despite these allegations, the beluga displayed friendly behavior in various Norwegian coastal areas, enjoying interactions with humans and responding to hand gestures, as noted by Marine Mind. The organization suggested that Hvaldimir possibly originated from Russian captivity and crossed into Norwegian waters, prompting suggestions that the whale might have been used for therapeutic purposes in Russia.
The unexpected death of Hvaldimir has stirred sadness among those who had been following the beluga’s unique journey, with marine experts now aiming to unravel the mystery behind the demise of the beloved whale that captured the attention of many.
