Beluga whale with camera, suspected of spying for Russia, found dead near Norway

A beluga whale, affectionately known as Hvaldimir, has been found dead in the waters off Norway. This beloved creature, which had endeared itself to both locals and visitors alike, was believed to be about 15 years old at the time of its passing. The news has left many shocked, particularly given Hvaldimir’s unique history and the affection he garnered over the years.

The whale’s lifeless body was discovered by a teenage fisherman and his father near Risavika on a Saturday morning. Marine conservationists from the nonprofit organization Marine Mind were called to the scene, where they confirmed the news. “Our team arrived to find Hvaldimir floating peacefully in the water,” they shared in a social media post. While the exact cause of death has not yet been determined, the organization plans to conduct a necropsy to investigate further.

Hvaldimir first captured the public’s attention in 2019 when he appeared off Norway’s northern coast wearing a harness that had a GoPro camera attached to it. This peculiar sight led to speculation that he had been trained by the Russian military to spy. The harness had several clips labeled “Equipment St. Petersburg,” which only deepened the mystery surrounding Hvaldimir’s origins.

Russia has a long history of training marine animals, such as dolphins and beluga whales, for military purposes, a practice that dates back to the Soviet Union era. The United States Navy has also employed dolphins in various capacities, including roles for mine clearing and defense against underwater threats.

Despite the suspicions about Hvaldimir’s background, Marine Mind noted that they have little definitive information regarding his past. They are unable to confirm whether he had been captured by Russia before his arrival in Norwegian waters. However, the organization did observe that Hvaldimir exhibited a strong interest in human interaction and was responsive to hand signals. This behavior led them to believe he might have been held in captivity prior to arriving in Norway.

If indeed trained by the Kremlin, it seemed that Hvaldimir had defected, making his way towards the more populous areas of Norway over the years. His charm and unique personality quickly turned him into a local celebrity. Videos of him interacting with people—lifting his head out of the water to greet swimmers and even returning items like a rugby ball—made him a beloved figure in the community.

Throughout his time in Norway, Hvaldimir sustained injuries from unexpected boat collisions. Yet, despite these challenges, he adapted remarkably well to life alongside humans, becoming a symbol of resilience. News of his death came as a considerable shock to the Marine Mind team, as many had seen him in good health just days before.

Local resident Dag Anfindsen recounted spotting Hvaldimir swimming freely and diving just a day prior to his death, which further complicated the grief surrounding the whale’s unexpected passing. Marine Mind and the Russian defense ministry have not commented on the situation as of yet.

This untimely death occurs amid rising tensions between Norway and Russia, exacerbated by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Norway is an active member of NATO, a military alliance that has been increasing its readiness in response to potential threats from Russia. The situation has led to heightened military exercises across the region, with several nations in northern and northeastern Europe voicing their commitment to bolstering defense against Russian aggression. Recently, Oslo announced plans to significantly increase its defense budget by $56 billion.

As Hvaldimir’s story ends, it serves as a poignant reminder of the complexities of wildlife, human interaction, and the geopolitical landscape that influences them.

Source: Business Insider