Mystery Deepens as Beluga Whale 'Hvaldimir', Dubbed as 'Russian Spy', Found Dead in Norway

A white beluga whale, named Hvaldimir and suspected of being a Russian spy due to its unusual harness, was found dead off the coast of southwest Norway. The carcass has been taken for further examination to determine the cause of death.

The carcass of a white beluga whale was discovered off the southwest coast of Norway, raising intrigue and sorrow.

Named Hvaldimir due to an unusual harness, the whale had been speculated to be a Russian spy. It was found by a father and son during a fishing trip, reported Norwegian state broadcaster NRK.

Marine Mind, a nonprofit organization tracking the whale, expressed that Hvaldimir symbolized hope and the bond between humans and nature. The whale's carcass has been retrieved for necropsy to determine the cause of death, said marine biologist Sebastian Strand.

In 2019, Hvaldimir first garnered attention off northern Norway with a harness labeled 'Equipment St Petersburg', leading to spy rumors. The whale, familiar with humans, was believed to have escaped confinement and received training from the Russian navy.

Spotted over the years in numerous Norwegian coastal towns, Hvaldimir was known for interacting with humans rather than espionage. Typically, beluga whales live 40–60 years in Arctic waters of Greenland, Norway, and Russia, but Hvaldimir, who was 1,225 kg and 14-15 years old, met an early end.

(With inputs from agencies.)