The white beluga whale first appeared off the coast of Norway's Finnmark region in 2019
The beluga whale found dead in a bay on the southwestern coast of Norway was killed by gunfire and had “multiple bullet wounds,” animal rights groups said. He became famous in the European country after the unusual armor he was wearing sparked speculation that he had been trained as a spy by Russia. The whale was found dead on August 31.
Organizations such as NOAH and One Whale reported that a complaint has been filed with the Norwegian police requesting a “criminal investigation.”
The white beluga whale first appeared off the coast of Norway's Finnmark region in 2019. It was nicknamed “Hvaldimir,” a combination of a play on the Norwegian word for whale — hval — and its alleged ties to Russia, AFP reported.
On Monday, Hvaldimir's carcass was taken to a local branch of the Norwegian Veterinary Institute for an autopsy. Reports are expected in three weeks, a spokesperson said.
After seeing Hvaldimir's body, Regina Crosby Haug, the head of One Whale, said there were “multiple bullet wounds around his body.” The organization was founded to track the beluga, who has become something of a celebrity in the country over the years.
In a statement, NOAH Director Siri Martinsen said the injuries on Hvaldimir's body were “alarming and of a nature that a criminal act cannot be ruled out – it is shocking.”
The beluga whale was estimated to be around 15 to 20 years old, according to reports. Normally, a beluga whale can live anywhere from 40 to 60 years.
After discovering Hvaldimir in 2019, marine biologists in Norway removed the man-made harness. The harness had an attachment suitable for an action camera and plastic fasteners that said in English “Equipment St. Petersburg.”
Norwegian officials claimed the beluga whale may have escaped from an enclosure. They also said it may have been trained by the Russian navy, as Hvaldimir appeared to be accustomed to people.
Moscow has not responded to these speculations.
Marine Mind, another organization that has been monitoring Hvaldimir's movements, reported that the beluga whale's body was found floating in the water around 2:30 p.m. (local time) on August 31.