The mystery surrounding the death of Hvaldimir, a beluga whale discovered with a harness strapped around its neck in Norwegian waters five years ago, has been resolved. The whale, whose name was a combination of the Norwegian word for whale and the first name of Russian President Vladimir Putin, was found dead on August 31st.
Hvaldimir had become a media sensation since its initial discovery in 2019 off Norway’s Arctic coast. The harness, which appeared to be a mount for a small camera, sparked speculation that the whale might be a Russian spy, given the shared maritime border between Norway and Russia.
Following the whale’s death, two animal rights groups filed a complaint with Norwegian police, alleging foul play. An autopsy, however, revealed a different story. A 35cm long, 3cm wide stick was found lodged in the whale’s mouth. Additionally, the autopsy revealed an empty stomach and significant organ breakdown.
The police concluded that there was no evidence suggesting human activity directly led to Hvaldimir’s death. They ruled out further investigation, dispelling the allegations of the whale being shot. While the autopsy showed some superficial injuries, there was no indication of gunshot wounds. A full report on the investigation is expected within two weeks.
The case of Hvaldimir serves as a reminder of the complex relationship between humans and wildlife, particularly in the face of changing environmental conditions. While the mystery of the harness remains unsolved, the lack of evidence connecting human activity to the whale’s death provides a sense of closure to this captivating story.
