Hvaldimir the Beluga Whale Found Dead in Norway

Hvaldimir, a white beluga whale that gained attention in Norway since April 2019, has been found dead in the harbor of Stavanger, a city in southwestern Norway.

The whale was first spotted in the country’s northern region, wearing a harness and a mount that appeared to be for a small camera, which led to speculation that it may have been trained for military purposes in Russia.

Local residents affectionately named the whale Hvaldimir, a combination of the Norwegian word for whale, «hval,» and the first name of Russian President Vladimir. Hvaldimir weighed approximately 2,700 pounds and measured around 14 feet in length.

Marine biologist Sebastian Strand, who tracked Hvaldimir’s movements for the NGO Marine Mind, discovered the whale’s body during a scout. He expressed deep sorrow over the loss, stating that Hvaldimir meant a lot to him and many others.

Preliminary examinations revealed only superficial injuries on Hvaldimir’s body; however, the exact cause of death remains unclear, as an autopsy has been scheduled for further investigation.

Despite rumors of Hvaldimir being a spy whale, the Russian government has not claimed ownership of the creature. The use of marine animals for military purposes is well documented, with many navies historically training cetaceans for various missions.

There are also theories suggesting that Hvaldimir could have served as a therapy whale, given its friendly demeanor and responsiveness to human signals. It is believed that the whale crossed over from Russian waters, where it may have been held in captivity.

Hvaldimir was often seen around fishing farms, taking advantage of the fish that gathered there, which raised concerns regarding the risks associated with boat traffic and fishing equipment in busy areas.

Marine Mind continues to emphasize the significance of Hvaldimir’s life and the impact he had on people who encountered him.