'Spy' beluga whale had multiple bullet wounds, animal organisations say

The beluga whale that was found dead in a bay in Norway’s south-western coast, was killed by gunfire, animal rights groups have claimed. The whale had become famous in the past few years after it was alleged that it was a Russian spy. It had an unusual harness which gave rise to the rumours that it was trained by Russia.

Noah and One Whale, the animal organisations, had earlier asked for a criminal investigation and had filed a complaint with Norwegian police.

The body of the beluga "spy" whale was transported to a local branch of the Norwegian Veterinary Institute for autopsy and the reports are expected in three weeks, a spokesperson for the institute said.

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Regina Crosby Haug, the head of One Whale, told AFP that she had seen Hvaldimir’s body. “He had multiple bullet wounds around his body," she stated.

Following its discovery, the whale had become a celebrity in Norway and One Whale was founded to track the beluga.

Meanwhile, Noah's director, Siri Martinsen, reiterated the claim that the whale was shot. “The injuries on the whale are alarming and of a nature that cannot rule out a criminal act – it is shocking,” she said.

“Given the suspicion of a criminal act, it is crucial that the police are involved quickly,” Martinsen added.

Marine Mind, another organisation that tracked the whale's movements, said it found Hvaldimir’s body floating in the water on Saturday. However, it isn't clear what killed the beluga.

Also Read:Unclaimed Russian 'spy' whale Hvaldimir found dead near Norway

“There was nothing to immediately reveal the cause of death,” director Sebastian Strand told AFP. “We saw markings but it’s too early to say what they were.”

"Spy" beluga whale

Beluga whales can live for 40 and 60 years of age, but Hvaldimir was estimated to be between 15 and 20 years of age.

The beluga was nicknamed Hvaldimir, combining the Norwegian pun for whale, hval, and Russian president Vladimir Putin's first name after being first spotted off the coast in Norway’s far-northern Finnmark region in 2019.

Norwegian marine biologists found a manmade harness with a mount on the whale which could fit an action camera. The words “Equipment St. Petersburg” were printed in English on the plastic clasps.

It was suspected that Hvaldimir likely escaped from an enclosure and was trained by the Russian navy.