Hvaldimir, the beluga whale that captured global attention with its unusual harness and sparked rumors of espionage, has tragically passed away.
This whale, which had become a symbol of intrigue and speculation, was found lifeless in Norway's Risavika Bay on August 31. The discovery was made by a father and son out fishing.
The Curious Case of Hvaldimir
The whale first made headlines back in 2019 when it was spotted near Norway's Arctic coast. It was wearing a harness that seemed to include a mount for a small camera, fueling speculation that it might have been a Russian spy due to Norway and Russia's shared maritime border.
The whale’s name, Hvaldimir, cleverly combined the Norwegian word for whale with the name of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Investigation and Findings
In the wake of Hvaldimir's death, Norwegian police launched an investigation after two animal rights groups suggested that the whale might have been shot. However, recent findings have shifted the narrative.
An autopsy revealed that the whale’s death was caused by a stick that had become lodged in its mouth. The stick was approximately 35 cm (14 inches) long and 3 cm wide.
The autopsy also indicated that Hvaldimir's stomach was empty and most of its organs had begun to decompose.
There was no evidence to suggest that human activities directly caused its death.
Conclusion of the Investigation
The police have confirmed that Hvaldimir had some injuries, but these were described as "completely superficial."
They have found no proof to support the claim that the whale was shot. As a result, the investigation will not continue, and a full report is expected to be available in two weeks.
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