Hvaldimir, the beluga whale whose mysterious harness sparked suspicions of being a Russian spy, has been found dead off the southwest coast of Norway. The carcass of the 14 to 15-year-old whale was discovered floating in Risavika Bay by a father and son who were out fishing. Hvaldimir, a symbol of hope and connection between humans and the natural world, had been monitored by the nonprofit organization Marine Mind.
Having been first spotted in Norway in 2019, Hvaldimir’s harness, which bore the words “Equipment St. Petersburg,” led to speculation that he may have been trained by the Russian navy. However, Russian officials never responded to the theories. After his sudden death, the whale’s remains were lifted out of the water for further examination to determine the cause. Despite being in good condition just a day before, no major external injuries were visible on the animal.
Over the past five years, Hvaldimir had been observed in various Norwegian coastal towns, where he interacted playfully with people. While initially believed to be a “spy whale,” Norwegian media speculated that the beluga may have actually served as a “therapy whale.” Beluga whales typically live between 40 and 60 years in their natural habitats in Greenland, Norway, and Russia. Marine biologist Sebastian Strand expressed deep sorrow over Hvaldimir’s tragic death and emphasized the need to determine the circumstances surrounding his passing.
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Photo credit www.aljazeera.com
