A white beluga whale suspected of being a Russian spy that was found dead off the coast of Norway suffered ‘multiple gunshot wounds’, animal rights activists have claimed.
Norwegian public broadcaster NRK reported that the body of Hvaldimir was found floating at the Risavika Bay in southern Norway on Saturday by a father and son who were fishing.
The beluga, named after a combination of the Norwegian word for whale – hval – and Russian President Putin‘s first name Vladimir, was lifted out of the water with a crane and taken to a nearby harbour where experts will examine it.
Animal rights groups said Hvaldimir was found riddled with bullets, adding that he was shot in a ‘heinous crime‘. One Whale founder Regina Haug vowed: ‘We will pursue justice for Hvaldimir.’
However, marine biologist Sebastian Strand told NRK: ‘Unfortunately, we found Hvaldimir floating in the sea.
‘He has passed away but it’s not immediately clear what the cause of death is,’ adding that no major external injuries were visible on the animal.
Hvaldimir, a white beluga whale who was first spotted near Russian waters wearing a harness and ignited rumours he may be a Moscow spy, has been found dead
The 14ft whale was first spotted by fishermen near the northern island of Ingoya, not far from the Arctic city of Hammerfest, in April 2019
Hvaldimir was spotted off the coast of Norway in 2019. The whale would follow close to boats
OneWhale worked with the Norwegian government to integrate Hvaldimir into a nearby pod
When Hvaldimir was found he was wearing a harness and what appeared to be a mount for a small camera and a buckle marked with the text: ‘Equipment St Petersburg.’
Mr Strand, who has monitored Hvaldimir’s adventures for the past three years on behalf of the Norway-based Marine Mind non-profit organisation, said he was deeply affected by the whale’s sudden death.
‘It’s absolutely horrible,’ Mr Strand said. ‘He was apparently in good condition as of (Friday). We just have to figure out what might have happened here.’
The 14ft whale was first spotted by fishermen near the northern island of Ingoya, not far from the Arctic city of Hammerfest, in April 2019 wearing a harness and what appeared to be a mount for a small camera and a buckle marked with the text: ‘Equipment St Petersburg.’
That sparked allegations that the beluga was ‘a spy whale’. Experts said the Russian navy is known to have trained whales for military purposes.
The harness and camera mount sparked allegations that the beluga was ‘a spy whale’. Experts said the Russian navy is known to have trained whales for military purposes
Over the years, the beluga was seen in several Norwegian coastal towns and it quickly became clear that he was very tame and enjoyed playing with people, NRK said
Hvaldimir was estimated to be between 12 and 20 years old and weighed 2,700 pounds
Over the years, the beluga was seen in several Norwegian coastal towns and it quickly became clear that he was very tame and enjoyed playing with people, NRK said.
Marine Mind said on its site that Hvaldimir was very interested in people and responded to hand signals.
‘Based on these observations, it appeared as if Hvaldimir arrived in Norway by crossing over from Russian waters, where it is presumed he was held in captivity,’ it said.
Norwegian media have speculated whether Hvaldimir could have been used as ‘a therapy whale’ of some sort in Russia.