OSLO, Norway: A beluga whale named “Hvaldimir,” which sparked international curiosity in 2019 after being spotted with a harness near Russian waters, was found dead in southern Norway’s Risavika Bay. Norwegian public broadcaster NRK reported that the whale’s body was discovered by a father and son fishing in the area. Hvaldimir’s death was confirmed by marine biologist Sebastian Strand, who mentioned that the cause of death is currently unknown, as no external injuries were observed.
Hvaldimir, whose name is a blend of the Norwegian word for whale “hval” and Russian President Vladimir Putin’s first name, gained attention due to a harness with a camera mount and a buckle marked “Equipment St. Petersburg.” This sparked speculation that the beluga might have been trained as a spy by the Russian navy, which is known to use marine animals for military purposes.
Since his first sighting, Hvaldimir had become a frequent visitor to various Norwegian coastal towns, charming locals with his friendly demeanor and interactions. The Marine Mind NGO, which monitored him, said he showed signs of being accustomed to human presence and responded to hand signals. The sudden death of the 4.2-meter, 1225 kg whale has raised questions about his mysterious past and his final days.
