A beluga whale, famous for once being suspected as a Russian spy, has tragically died, and some believe it was killed by gunfire. This whale, named Hvaldimir, had become well-known in Norway for being friendly with humans, often approaching boats and interacting with people. But now, animal rights groups claim he was shot to death.
Two groups, OneWhale and NOAH, are pushing Norwegian police to investigate this mysterious death. They shared disturbing images of Hvaldimir’s body, showing what they believe are gunshot wounds. Regina Haug, the founder of OneWhale, was heartbroken when she saw the whale’s body. “There was no doubt he was shot,” she said. “I even saw a bullet lodged in him. It’s heartbreaking to think that such a gentle animal was senselessly murdered.”
Hvaldimir’s body was found in Risavika Bay, in southern Norway, over the weekend. Now, experts from the Norwegian Veterinary Institute are examining the body to determine the exact cause of death. While it may take up to three weeks to get the final results from the autopsy, the injuries on the whale’s body are suspicious enough for animal rights activists to demand a criminal investigation. Siri Martinsen, director of NOAH, Norway’s largest animal rights group, called the situation shocking. “Hvaldimir was important to many people, and we need answers about how he died,” she said.
The police confirmed that they received the complaint from the groups and are now deciding whether they should start an investigation. The Veterinary Institute also said that if the autopsy shows anything unusual, they will inform the authorities.
However, not everyone agrees that Hvaldimir was killed by gunshots. Another animal rights group, Marine Mind, isn’t convinced just yet. Their leader, Sebastian Strand, said that while there were marks on the whale’s body, it’s still too early to know for sure what caused his death. He even suggested that some of the injuries might have been caused by seabirds, not bullets.
Hvaldimir’s journey in the public eye began back in 2019 when he first appeared off the coast of northern Norway. What made him famous was the harness he was wearing, labeled ‘Equipment St. Petersburg.’ This led to wild speculation in the media that he might be a Russian spy trained to carry out secret missions. Some people even called him “Putin’s spy whale.” But others believed he was actually a therapy whale, trained to help people.
Despite the mystery around his past, Hvaldimir became a beloved figure in Norway. He was known for being playful and curious, often following boats and interacting with seafarers. Now, after his sudden death, the people who cared for him are left with questions and sadness, hoping the truth about his demise will soon be revealed.
