A beluga whale, known for an unusual harness that led to its labelling as a “Russian spy,” was discovered deceased with multiple bullet wounds in a bay along Norway’s southwestern coast last month.
This whale, which first surfaced off Norway’s Finnmark coast in 2019, became notable after its harness sparked speculations of espionage training by Russia. The creature, nicknamed ‘Hvaldimir,’ a blend of the Norwegian word for whale (‘hval’) and a nod to its alleged Russian ties, was identified as around 15 to 20 years old. Typically, belugas live between 40 and 60 years.
After its discovery in 2019, marine biologists removed a man-made harness from Hvaldimir, equipped with a camera mount and clasps marked ‘Equipment St. Petersburg.’ Norwegian officials suggested the whale might have escaped a training facility, speculating that the Russian Navy trained it due to its familiarity with humans. However, Moscow has not commented on these allegations.
On August 31, the beluga’s carcass was floating in the water around 2:30 PM, as reported by Marine Mind, a group tracking the whale. The body was subsequently sent to a local branch of the Norwegian Veterinary Institute for an autopsy, with results expected within three weeks.
Animal rights organizations, including NOAH and One Whale, have reacted strongly. They reported the whale’s injuries and filed a complaint with Norwegian police, demanding a criminal investigation.
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Siri Martinsen, director of NOAH, described the injuries as “alarming” and indicative of a potential criminal act. Additionally, Regina Crosby Haug, head of One Whale, confirmed the presence of multiple bullet wounds on Hvaldimir’s body, emphasizing the severity of the situation.
