Unexpected Twist in Mysterious Death of “Russian Spy” Whale

On Wednesday, animal rights groups reported that a beluga whale, known as Hvaldimir, was shot dead, raising concerns regarding the circumstances of the incident. This whale gained notoriety in Norway due to a unique harness that sparked speculation about its potential use as a spy trained by Russia.

The organizations NOAH and One Whale have filed a complaint with Norwegian police, calling for a criminal investigation into the whale’s death. Hvaldimir was found deceased on Saturday in a bay along Norway’s southwestern coastline, and his body was subsequently taken to the Norwegian Veterinary Institute for an autopsy, which is expected to be completed in about three weeks.

According to Regina Crosby Haug, head of One Whale, who observed Hvaldimir’s body, multiple bullet wounds were evident on the whale. Hvaldimir had originally appeared in Norway’s far-northern Finnmark region in 2019 and was given the nickname, blending “hval,” the Norwegian word for whale, with implications regarding his potential ties to Moscow.

As a beloved figure in Norway, Hvaldimir became a symbol of wildlife intrigue. One Whale was established specifically to monitor the whale’s movements, emphasizing the importance of addressing the situation surrounding its death. The director of NOAH, Siri Martinsen, described the injuries observed on Hvaldimir as alarming and expressed shock, highlighting the potential for a criminal act having occurred.

Hvaldimir’s body was discovered by Marine Mind, another organization tracking the whale. According to its director, Sebastian Strand, initial observations did not indicate an obvious cause of death, despite visible markings on the body. He noted that some markings were likely caused by marine birds, but could not provide a complete explanation for the others at this time.

At an estimated age of 15 to 20 years, Hvaldimir was still relatively young, as beluga whales typically have a lifespan of 40 to 60 years. When he first appeared in 2019, Norwegian marine biologists removed a harness from him that had a mount suitable for an action camera, with the phrase “Equipment St. Petersburg” inscribed in English on its plastic clasps. Officials speculated Hvaldimir might have escaped from a training facility and was possibly trained by the Russian navy, as he exhibited a familiarity with humans.

Notably, the Russian military has a documented history of attempting to utilize sea mammals for strategic purposes. Reports indicated that Russia was training combat dolphins to assist against Ukrainian forces. Moscow has not publicly acknowledged the discussions surrounding Hvaldimir’s possible espionage role.

In a statement following Hvaldimir’s death, One Whale expressed heartbreak and frustration, relaying the efforts exerted to protect and assist him. The organization noted their anger at the circumstances that led to the whale’s tragic end, especially as he seemed to be on the verge of a better life.

The incident has sparked widespread outrage among animal welfare advocates, further fueling calls for comprehensive investigations into wildlife protection in and around Norwegian waters. Hvaldimir’s story serves as a reminder of the delicate relationship between humans and marine wildlife and underlines the need for vigilant stewardship of these creatures.

As the investigation proceeds, the findings from the veterinary autopsy may shed further light on the circumstances surrounding Hvaldimir’s death and could lead to greater scrutiny of marine wildlife practices and protections in the region.

Source: CBS News