A white beluga whale named “Hvaldimir,” who gained notoriety for wearing a harness that sparked rumors of espionage, has been discovered dead in southern Norway. The whale's carcass was found floating at Risavika Bay by a father and son who were fishing in the area.
The beluga, measuring 4.2 meters in length and weighing 1,225 kilograms, was affectionately named by combining the Norwegian word for whale, 'hval,' and Russian President Putin’s first name, Vladimir. The animal was first sighted near the northern island of Ingøya in April 2019, wearing a harness with what appeared to be a mount for a small camera and a buckle marked with the text “Equipment St. Petersburg.”
Speculation arose that the beluga might have been a spy whale, as the Russian navy is known to have trained marine mammals for military purposes. However, over the years, Hvaldimir was observed in various Norwegian coastal towns, displaying a friendly and playful demeanor towards humans.
Marine biologist Sebastian Strand, who had been monitoring Hvaldimir's activities on behalf of the Marine Mind non-profit organization, expressed deep sadness at the whale's sudden demise. Despite no major external injuries being visible, the cause of death remains unknown, with experts set to conduct a thorough examination of the carcass.
NGO Marine Mind suggested that Hvaldimir may have crossed over from Russian waters, where it is believed the beluga was previously held in captivity. The organization noted the whale's interest in interacting with people and responsiveness to hand signals, leading to speculation that Hvaldimir could have been used as a form of 'therapy whale' in Russia.
The loss of Hvaldimir has left many saddened, with questions lingering about the circumstances surrounding the beloved beluga's untimely passing. As investigations continue, the legacy of Hvaldimir, the enigmatic whale who captured hearts and sparked intrigue, lives on in the memories of those who encountered him along the Norwegian coast.
