A beluga whale nicknamed "Hvaldimir," has been found dead near the Norwegian town of Rysvika.
The whale, first spotted in 2019 with a harness labeled "Equipment of St. Petersburg," was suspected of being involved in Russian espionage due to its unusual behavior, including frequent interactions with ships.
Experts in Norway noted that Hvaldimir’s behavior was atypical for belugas, suggesting that the whale had undergone some form of training. The harness and camera led to speculation that the whale was part of a Russian espionage program. Russia has consistently denied these allegations, stating it does not operate such programs.
The cause of Hvaldimir's death remains uncertain, but it is not believed to be due to old age. At the time of its death, the whale was estimated to be 15 years old. Belugas typically live up to 60 years, leading to further questions about the circumstances surrounding its demise.
* Kann News contributed to this article.
