Russian Spy Whale' Hvaldimir's Mysterious Death Sparks Calls for Investigation

Animal rights groups are demanding an immediate investigation into the death of Hvaldimir, the white beluga whale dubbed the "Russian spy whale," after evidence suggested the marine mammal was shot. One Whale and NOAH, two groups that had been monitoring the whale's movements for the past five years, filed a police report on Wednesday, citing "compelling evidence" of gunshot wounds.

The groups, which had been tracking Hvaldimir's activities since 2019, said that several veterinarians, biologists, and ballistics experts had reviewed evidence of the whale's injuries and concluded that its death was the result of a criminal act. "The injuries on the whale are alarming — it is shocking… it is crucial that the police are involved quickly," said NOAH leader and veterinarian Siri Martinsen.

Hvaldimir, estimated to be between 15 and 20 years old, was found dead in Risavika Bay in southern Norway on Saturday by a father and son who were out fishing. The whale's age and health suggested it should have lived for another 20 to 40 years. A full autopsy is underway, but results won't be available for two to three weeks, according to the Norwegian Veterinary Institute.

The whale's mysterious past had sparked speculation that it had escaped Russian captivity. In 2019, Hvaldimir was spotted visiting fishing boats off the coast of Norway, sporting an empty harness for a live-action camera labeled "Equipment of St. Petersburg." At the time, Russia was under scrutiny for allegedly training whales, dolphins, and other marine mammals for special ops forces, although the country's military has denied such programs exist.

Norwegian marine biologists removed the harness, and Hvaldimir went on to develop a public following. The whale was last spotted swimming off the west coast of Sweden in May last year, about 1,250 miles south of its original location. Beluga whales typically inhabit the Arctic region, making Hvaldimir's presence in southern Norway unusual.