Hvaldimir, the beluga whale that gained international attention in 2019 for wearing a harness labeled “Equipment St. Petersburg”, has been found dead in the harbor of Stavanger, Norway. The whale’s death has sparked an investigation, with an autopsy conducted on Monday to determine the cause.
Hvaldimir’s story began in 2019 when he was spotted in northern Norway with the mysterious harness, leading to speculation that he had escaped from a Russian military facility and was trained for espionage. However, Russia never claimed the whale.
Marine biologist Sebastian Strand, who had been tracking Hvaldimir, expressed his sorrow at the whale’s passing, stating that he had “profoundly impacted” the lives of thousands of people. Hvaldimir had become a popular figure along Norway’s coast, known for his interactions with locals and unusual behavior.
The Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries reported that Hvaldimir had only superficial injuries, and the cause of death remains unclear. Strand emphasized the importance of understanding the cause of Hvaldimir’s death, stating that it was essential to ensure that his death was not a mystery.
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