Mystery of the 'Spy Whale': Beluga Found Dead Off Norwegian Coast

Monday 02 September 2024 - 09:45

A beluga whale, suspected of being trained as a spy by Russia, has been found dead off the Norwegian coast, sparking renewed interest in the enigmatic marine mammal's origins and purpose.

The body of the animal, affectionately nicknamed Hvaldimir, was discovered floating off the south-western town of Risavika and subsequently taken to the nearest port for examination. The whale first garnered international attention five years ago when it was spotted in Norwegian waters with a GoPro camera attached to a harness bearing the inscription "Equipment of St Petersburg."

This peculiar sighting fueled speculation that the mammal could be a spy whale, a practice that experts confirm has historical precedent. Moscow, however, has never officially responded to these allegations.

Hvaldimir's lifeless body was discovered over the weekend by Marine Mind, an organization that has been tracking his movements for years. Sebastian Strand, the founder of Marine Mind, told AFP news agency that the cause of death remains unknown, and Hvaldimir's body showed no obvious injuries.

"We've managed to retrieve his remains and put him in a cooled area, in preparation for a necropsy by the veterinary institute," Strand said.

At an estimated age of about 15, Hvaldimir was relatively young for a beluga whale, which can live up to 60 years. He first approached Norwegian boats in April 2019 near the island of Ingoya, approximately 415 kilometers (260 miles) from Murmansk, where Russia's Northern Fleet is based. The sighting was notable because belugas are rarely seen this far south of the high Arctic.

The discovery prompted an investigation by Norway's domestic intelligence agency, which later concluded that the whale was likely trained by the Russian army, given his apparent familiarity with humans. The whale became known locally as Hvaldimir, a playful pun on the Norwegian word for whale, "hval," and President Vladimir Putin.

Russia has a documented history of training marine mammals, such as dolphins, for military purposes. The Barents Observer website has identified whale pens near naval bases in the north-west area of Murmansk, further fueling the speculation surrounding Hvaldimir.

Despite these findings, Russia has never officially addressed the claim that Hvaldimir may have been trained by its military. The country has previously denied the existence of any programs seeking to train sea mammals as spies.

The mysterious death of Hvaldimir leaves many questions unanswered, adding another layer to the intriguing tale of the alleged spy whale. As investigations continue, the world awaits further insights into the life and death of this enigmatic creature.