Beluga whale Hvaldimir, speculated to be a Russian 'spy', found dead in Norway

The white beluga whale known as Hvaldimir, which gained international attention after being spotted with a harness in 2019, has been found dead in the harbor of Stavanger, Norway. The whale, first seen in northern Norway with a harness labeled “Equipment St. Petersburg,” sparked speculation that it had escaped from a Russian military facility and was trained for espionage. However, Russia never claimed the whale.

Marine biologist Sebastian Strand from the NGO Marine Mind, who had been tracking Hvaldimir, discovered the 14-foot, 2,700-pound whale’s body on Saturday. Strand expressed his sorrow, stating, “He meant more than I can put into words, to me, to the team, and to thousands of people whose lives he had profoundly impacted.” According to Strand, Hvaldimir was last known to be alive on Friday.

The Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries reported that Hvaldimir had only superficial injuries, and the cause of death remains unclear. An autopsy was conducted on Monday to determine the cause. The whale had become a popular figure along Norway’s coast, often interacting with locals and following boats, particularly catamarans, from one fish farm to another in search of food.

Despite theories about Hvaldimir’s origins as a military or therapy whale, his solitary behavior and proximity to densely populated areas raised concerns about potential injuries from boats and fishing gear. The fisheries directorate noted that Hvaldimir’s movements and behavior were atypical for his species, which usually inhabits remote Arctic regions.

Strand emphasized the importance of understanding the cause of Hvaldimir’s death, stating, “For now, we work towards a final dignity of making sure he is kept well and examined so his death will not be a mystery. But no matter what now, a beloved friend of many is gone.”