Celebrity ‘Russian spy’ beluga whale found dead in Norway after stirring rumors

A beloved beluga whale named Hvaldimir, who sparked international intrigue with his possible ties to Russia, has been found dead in southern Norway.

The whale, whose name is a fusion of the Norwegian word for whale—hval—and Russian President Vladimir Putin’s first name, was discovered floating in Risavika Bay by a local father and son duo out fishing.

The discovery of Hvaldimir’s body marks the end of a story that captivated both marine biologists and the public since his first appearance in 2019, near Russian waters.

A curious whale with a controversial past

Hvaldimir first made headlines in April 2019 when he was spotted by fishers near the northern Norwegian island of Ingøya, close to the Arctic city of Hammerfest. What made this beluga whale unique was the harness he was wearing, which seemed to be designed for a small camera.

The harness also had a buckle with the words “Equipment St Petersburg,” fueling widespread speculation that the whale had been trained by the Russian Navy for military purposes.

Over time, experts suggested that the Russian navy, known for its use of marine mammals for various military operations, might have trained Hvaldimir. However, as the beluga continued to appear in Norwegian waters, his behavior raised further questions.

Unlike wild whales, Hvaldimir was unusually tame and showed a distinct interest in interacting with humans. This led some to speculate that he might have been used in Russia for more benign purposes, such as therapy.

The marine biologist Sebastian Strand, who has been closely monitoring Hvaldimir’s activities for the last three years through the Norway-based non-profit organization Marine Mind, was among those captivated by the whale’s charm and intelligence.

According to Marine Mind, Hvaldimir was responsive to hand signals and seemed to enjoy human company, further supporting the theory that he might have been held in captivity before making his way to Norway.

A shocking discovery in Risavika Bay

The news of Hvaldimir’s death came as a shock to many, especially those who had grown fond of the whale over the years. On Saturday, his lifeless body was found floating in Risavika Bay, a tragic end to a life that had fascinated both experts and the public.

The whale, which measured 4.2 meters (14 feet) long and weighed 1,225 kilograms (2,700 pounds), was retrieved from the water using a crane and transported to a nearby harbor for examination.

As reported by The Guardian , Marine biologist Sebastian Strand, who had been closely involved with monitoring Hvaldimir, expressed his deep sadness over the whale’s passing. “Unfortunately, we found Hvaldimir floating in the sea. He has passed away, but it’s not immediately clear what the cause of death is,” Strand told NRK, Norway’s public broadcaster. He noted that no major external injuries were visible on the whale , adding to the mystery of what might have led to his sudden death.

Strand also revealed that just the day before Hvaldimir’s body was discovered, the whale appeared to be in good condition. “It’s absolutely horrible,” he said. “He was apparently in good condition as of [Friday], so we just have to figure out what might have happened here.”

The legacy of Hvaldimir

Hvaldimir’s story is a poignant reminder of the complex relationship between humans and marine life, particularly in regions where geopolitical tensions can even extend to the natural world.

The beluga whale’s frequent appearances along Norway’s coastlines made him a beloved figure, with many locals and tourists eagerly seeking a glimpse of the “spy whale” who had wandered far from home.

Marine Mind’s website reflects on the special bond that Hvaldimir seemed to form with people, noting that he was “very interested in people and responded to hand signals.”

This behavior led to widespread speculation in Norwegian media that Hvaldimir might have been used as a therapy animal in Russia, though this theory was never confirmed.