A beluga whale named Hvaldimir, known for sparking spy theories in 2019, was found dead off the southwestern coast of Norway last weekend, and animal rights groups now suspect foul play.
Multiple Gunshot Wounds
Norwegian animal welfare organizations, NOAH and One Whale, have filed a complaint with local police, urging a criminal investigation into the whale’s death, according to Digi24.
Hvaldimir was discovered lifeless on Saturday near Risavika. Initial findings, according to One Whale's leader, Regina Crosby Haug, revealed multiple gunshot wounds on the whale’s body.
The whale’s remains were transferred to the Norwegian Veterinary Institute for an autopsy, with results expected within three weeks.
"The nature of the injuries is alarming and cannot rule out a criminal act," stated Siri Martinsen, head of NOAH.
Rumors of Training in Russia
The mysterious death has shocked many, especially given Hvaldimir’s background. In 2019, the whale gained international attention when it was spotted wearing a harness fitted with a camera mount marked "Equipment St. Petersburg."
This sparked rumors that the whale had been trained by the Russian military for surveillance, earning it the nickname Hvaldimir, a combination of the Norwegian word for whale, “hval,” and Vladimir, after Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Hvaldimir, believed to be between 15 and 20 years old, was initially found in the Arctic region but later traveled further south, often interacting with people.
His death has led to widespread calls for justice, with NGOs like Marine Mind reporting no immediate signs of the cause of death but suggesting some wounds might be from bird attacks, while others remain unexplained.
This incident has raised new concerns about the welfare of the already endangered beluga whales, who typically live much farther north near Greenland or the Russian Arctic.
