The body of a tame whale, named Hvaldimir, was discovered floating off Norway’s coastal town of Risavika over the weekend. It has been moved to the nearest port for a necropsy.
His body was discovered by Marine Mind, the organization that has been tracking him for years. His body had no obvious injuries.
In a statement on social media, the organization expressed their profound sorrow at the loss of Hvaldimir:
It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of Hvaldimir’s passing. This morning, after receiving a sighting report from a local, our team arrived to find Hvaldimir floating peacefully in the water, no longer with us. A necropsy will be conducted to determine the cause of death.
According to BBC News, Hvaldimir had originally been spotted wearing a Go-Pro camera attached to a harness that said “Equipment of St. Petersburg.” At the time, when seen five years ago, rumors flew around that he had been a spy whale; Moscow never responded to the allegations.
The whale was estimated to be about 15 years of age, which was not old for a Beluga; their average life span is about 15. It had been in April 2019 when Hvaldimir was first spotted near the island of Ingoya located at the edge of the Arctic Ocean, which was not far from where Russia’s Northern Fleet is located. Beluga whales are rarely seen this far south of the Arctic.
An investigation led to allegations that the whale had been trained. As with other marine mammals such as dolphins, it is believed Hvaldimir had also been trained by the Russian military. They have previously denied training sea mammals to be spies.
The Beluga’s presence has taught scientists more about the bond between humans and the natural world. Marine Mind also reminds everyone how important ocean conservation remains.
Hvaldimir bridged the gap between humans and wild animals in a way that few can. He was special to so many, leaving an indelible mark on all who had the privilege to encounter him. His legacy will continue to inspire our work and our mission to protect the ocean and its inhabitants.
Rest in peace, Hvaldimir. You will be deeply missed, but never forgotten.
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