Norway (AP) — A white beluga whale named “Hvaldimir,” first noticed in Norway not removed from Russian waters with a harness that ignited rumors he could also be a Moscow spy, has been found dead.
The Norwegian public broadcaster NRK reported that the whale carcass was found floating on the Risavika Bay in southern Norway Saturday by a father and son who have been fishing.
The beluga, named by combining the Norwegian phrase for whale — hval — and Russian President Putin’s first identify Vladimir, was lifted out of the water with a crane and brought to a close-by harbor the place consultants will study it.
“Unfortunately, we found Hvaldimir floating in the sea. He has passed away but it’s not immediately clear what the cause of death is,” marine biologist Sebastian Strand advised NRK, including that no main exterior accidents have been seen on the animal.
Strand, who has monitored Hvaldimir’s adventures for the previous three years on behalf of the Norway-based Marine Mind non-profit group, stated he was deeply affected by the whale’s sudden demise.
“It’s absolutely horrible,” Strand stated. “He was apparently in good condition as of (Friday). So we just have to figure out what might have happened here.”
The 4.2-meter (14-foot) lengthy and 1,225-kilogram (2,700-pound) whale was first noticed by fishermen close to the northern island of Ingøya, not removed from the Arctic metropolis of Hammerfest, in April 2019 carrying a harness and what seemed to be a mount for a small digicam and a buckle marked with textual content “Equipment St. Petersburg.”
That sparked allegations that the beluga was “a spy whale.” Experts stated the Russian navy is thought to have educated whales for army functions.
Over the years, the beluga was seen in a number of Norwegian coastal cities and it shortly grew to become clear that he was very tame and loved taking part in with individuals, NRK stated.
NGO Marine Mind stated on its web site that Hvaldimir was very in individuals and responded handy indicators.
“Based on these observations, it appeared as if Hvaldimir arrived in Norway by crossing over from Russian waters, where it is presumed he was held in captivity,” it stated.
Norwegian media have speculated whether or not Hvaldimir might have been used as “a therapy whale” of some type in Russia.