A beluga whale nicknamed “Hvaldimir,” who gained international attention after being spotted near Norway wearing a mysterious harness, has been found dead in southern Norway.
The whale’s body was discovered floating in Risavika Bay on Saturday by a father and son while they were fishing, according to the Norwegian public broadcaster NRK.
Hvaldimir first made headlines in April 2019 when he was seen near the northern island of Ingøya, close to Russian waters. The whale was wearing a harness that appeared to be equipped for a camera, with a buckle marked “Equipment St Petersburg.”
This fueled speculation that he might have been trained by the Russian navy for espionage, earning him the playful nickname that combines the Norwegian word for whale, “hval,” with the name of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Marine biologist Sebastian Strand, who has been monitoring Hvaldimir for the Norway-based non-profit Marine Mind, expressed his sadness at the whale’s sudden death.
Strand reported that the whale appeared to be in good condition as recently as Friday, making the cause of death unclear. No major external injuries were visible, and an examination is planned to determine what happened.
Over the years, Hvaldimir became a familiar sight in various Norwegian coastal towns, known for his playful interactions with people and his apparent tameness.
These behaviors led to speculation that he might have been a “therapy whale” in Russia before making his way to Norway.
This article by Trinity Sparke was first published by One Green Planet on 4 September 2024. Image Credit :Anton Berking/Shutterstock.
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