Beluga Whale’s Mysterious Death Sparks Calls for Criminal Investigation
In a shocking development, animal rights organizations NOAH and One Whale have revealed that a beluga whale, famously dubbed a “Russian spy,” was found dead with multiple bullet wounds. The whale, named “Hvaldimir” in a pun on the Norwegian word for whale, hval, and its alleged ties to Moscow, first garnered attention in 2019 when it appeared off Norway’s far-northern Finnmark region wearing an unusual harness.
Discovery of the body
Hvaldimir was discovered dead on Saturday in a bay along Norway’s southwestern coast. His body was subsequently transported to a local branch of the Norwegian Veterinary Institute for an autopsy. A spokesperson for the institute stated that the autopsy report is expected “within three weeks.”
Alarming findings
“He had multiple bullet wounds around his body,” Regina Crosby Haug, head of One Whale, told AFP after viewing Hvaldimir’s body. One Whale, an organization established to track the famous beluga, was instrumental in bringing attention to his plight.
NOAH’s director, Siri Martinsen, expressed outrage in a statement: “The injuries on the whale are alarming and of a nature that cannot rule out a criminal act — it is shocking.” She emphasized the urgency of involving law enforcement, stating, “Given the suspicion of a criminal act, it is crucial that the police are involved quickly.”
Calls for justice
NOAH and One Whale have filed a complaint with Norwegian police, urging them to launch a criminal investigation into Hvaldimir’s death. A third organization that also tracked the whale, Marine Mind, reported finding Hvaldimir’s body floating in the water on Saturday around 2:30 p.m. (1230 GMT). “There was nothing to immediately reveal the cause of death,” Marine Mind director Sebastian Strand told AFP, adding that while some markings could be attributed to marine birds, others remained unexplained.
The life and fame of Hvaldimir
Hvaldimir’s story began in 2019 when Norwegian marine biologists discovered him wearing a man-made harness with a mount suited for an action camera and the words “Equipment St. Petersburg” printed in English. Norwegian officials speculated that he might have escaped from an enclosure and been trained by the Russian navy, given his apparent familiarity with humans. The Russian military has a documented history of attempting to weaponize sea mammals, with reports last year suggesting that Russia might be training combat dolphins to counter Ukrainian forces. However, Moscow has never officially commented on the speculation surrounding Hvaldimir.
A Tragic end
At an estimated age of 15 to 20, Hvaldimir was relatively young for a beluga whale, which can live between 40 and 60 years. The news of his death has deeply affected those who followed his journey. “We are heartbroken,” One Whale said in a statement. “We are angry, too, as we have had to fight so hard, for so long to help him out of danger. And he was finally so close to having a better life.”
The tragic death of Hvaldimir underscores the ongoing challenges faced by marine wildlife in human-dominated environments. As the community awaits the autopsy results, the call for justice and protection for these magnificent creatures grows louder.