A beluga whale, believed to have had ties to Russian intelligence, was found dead over the weekend, leaving Norwegian fishermen and marine biologists saddened. The whale, affectionately named “Hvaldimir,” was estimated to be between 14 and 17 years old, a notably young age given that belugas can live over 30 years. Marine biologist Sebastian Strand described Hvaldimir as “sociable” and “playful,” having seen his lifeless white body floating in Risavika Bay on Saturday afternoon. “It’s far younger than we had hoped,” he remarked.
The exact cause of Hvaldimir’s death remains unknown, but officials have transported his body to a cooling facility for further examination, with an autopsy underway. Spokesman Olav Lekve from Norway’s fisheries directorate stated that results would be forthcoming in a few weeks.
Hvaldimir gained worldwide attention five years ago when he approached Norwegian fishermen wearing a harness marked “Equipment St. Petersburg,” leading locals to nickname him after combining the Norwegian word for whale, “hval,” with Russian President Vladimir Putin’s name. While his initial appearance may have been associated with geopolitical tensions, Strand noted that Hvaldimir evolved into an “ambassador between species,” becoming beloved by many.
Strand explained that if Hvaldimir had indeed been trained by Russian operatives, he likely did not excel in his role. Instead of engaging in clandestine activities, he consistently sought human interaction, often splashing water or blowing air to elicit laughter from children. After initially residing in northern Finnmark, Norway, he traveled to more populated coastal areas and even visited Sweden.
There have been speculations surrounding the harness he was discovered with, suggesting it may have been used for spying with possible equipment for weapons or cameras. However, the Russian Defense Ministry has denied the existence of any such program, despite a past advertisement for dolphins. The true purpose of Hvaldimir’s harness may never be fully understood.
Since the 1950s, the Pentagon has utilized marine mammals for military functions, with the U.S. Navy employing dolphins and sea lions for tasks such as locating mines and retrieving objects, but not for offensive actions.
Strand spotted Hvaldimir’s lifeless body during a routine observation of the area where the whale had been frequently sighted. He noted that there was no obvious immediate cause of death. Regina Crosby Haug, a filmmaker and advocate for Hvaldimir, expressed deep sorrow, emphasizing the whale’s unusual affinity for humans, which was atypical for wild belugas. Haug, who had been working to move Hvaldimir to safer Arctic waters, lamented the outcome of their efforts.
Catherine Kinsman, a solitary whale expert, pointed out that Hvaldimir’s approach to humans may have stemmed from his loneliness and need for companionship, making him susceptible to danger. Strand concluded that Hvaldimir captured the hearts of numerous individuals, stating, “I’ll be far from alone in mourning him.”