Cause of death of Russian spy whale revealed
Beluga Hvaldimir, known worldwide for his suspected role as a Russian spy, was found dead off the coast of Norway last month. Animal welfare organizations feared it may have been a criminal act.
The estimated 4.2-meter-long and 1,220-kilogram animal lived to be only 15 years old, even though this type of whale normally has a life expectancy of 35 to 50 years. For a long time, therefore, it was unclear what this world-famous beluga whale died of. Two Norwegian NGOs argued that the animal was deliberately killed.
White whale Hvaldimir was first spotted by fishermen in 2019. At the time, it was wearing a harness that referred to Russia (inside were the words Equipment St Petersburg) and was apparently designed to attach an action camera. This leads many people to believe that it was once trained by the Russians to spy. Although marine biologists removed its harness, Hvaldimir was soon nicknamed the "spy whale".
Nonprofits arranged for Hvaldimir's carcass to be sent to a specialized facility so his cause of death could be determined. Two animal rights organizations, NOAH and One Whale, had immediately filed a complaint with the Norwegian police requesting a “criminal investigation.” After all, they thought the animal was deliberately killed.
Whale with gunshot wounds?
According to Regina Crosby Haug, the director of One Whale who went to the scene when Hvaldimir's carcass was removed, the beluga whale showed gunshot wounds. For her part, Siri Martinsen of NOAH said in a press release that the animal's wounds indicate foul play was involved. “It is crucial that the police act quickly,” she said.
Cause of death now known
The carcass of the white whale was therefore examined by veterinarians from the Norwegian Veterinary Institute, and they have now been able to conclude that Hvaldimir's death was natural after all. In all probability, the animal died due to a bacterial infection. The belugauga possibly contracted that from a wound to its mouth. The superficial wounds found on the carcass are not the result of bullets or other projectiles, according to the veterinarians.
(FVDV for Tagtik/Source: AP - Reuters - Belga/Illustration picture: Unsplash)