It was a 4.2-meter (14-feet) and 1,225-kilogram (2,700-pound) white beluga whale, which, like the friendly dolphins, had endeared itself to thousands of Norwegians with its friendly and playful demeanour towards humans over the last five years.
First sighted by fishmen off the coast of Norway’s far-northern Finnmark region close to the Russian waters in 2019, the beluga whale was nicknamed by locals as “Hvaldimir,” a pun on the Norwegian word for whale “hval” and the Russian President Putin’s first name Vladimir.
The reason for the nickname was a harness marine biologists discovered on the beluga, along with what appeared to be a mount suited for a small action camera and the words “Equipment St. Petersburg” printed on plastic clasps.
Also, the fact that he was not only comfortable in the company of humans but also enjoyed playfully interacting with them, unusual for the marine mammal in the wild, was a clear indication that it had been tamed and trained.
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The West has always harboured suspicious about the Russian navy training whales for military purposes, though the US military is also known to train dolphins and seals for various undersea errands.
Over the years, despite the speculation over the beluga being a Russian spy, he quickly endeared himself to the locals after wandering to several Norwegian coastal towns.
However, according to reports on various online news media, on August 31, grief engulfed the local coastal communities when the Norwegian public broadcaster NRK reported that Hvaldimir was discovered floating motionless in the sea at the Risavika Bay in southern Norway.
With an estimated age of around 14 or 15, Hvaldimir was relatively young for a Beluga whale, which can live to between 40 and 60 years of age.
“Unfortunately, we found Hvaldimir floating in the sea. He has passed away but it’s not immediately clear what the cause of death is,” marine biologist Sebastian Strand, who has monitored Hvaldimir’s adventures for the past three years on behalf of the Norway-based advocacy group Marine Mind, reportedly told NRK, adding that no major external injuries were visible on the animal.
“It’s absolutely horrible,” Strand has been reported as saying. “He was apparently in good condition as of (Friday). So, we just need to figure out what might have happened here.”
Photos Credit: Facebook/Marine Mind
In a social media post, accompanied with pictures of beluga whales (whether these are of Hvaldimir is doubtful as the mammals seen do not have a harness on them), NGO Marine Mind wrote a condolence message with the headline: **In Loving Memory of Hvaldimir **
The highly emotional message reads thus: “It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of Hvaldimir’s passing. This morning, after receiving a sighting report from a local, our team arrived to find Hvaldimir floating peacefully in the water, no longer with us. A necropsy will be conducted to determine the cause of death.
“Hvaldimir was not just a beluga whale; he was a beacon of hope, a symbol of connection, and a reminder of the deep bond between humans and the natural world. Over the past five years, he touched the lives of tens of thousands, bringing people together in awe of the wonders of nature. His presence taught us about the importance of ocean conservation, and in doing so, he also taught us more about ourselves.
“Hvaldimir bridged the gap between humans and wild animals in a way that few can. He was special to so many, leaving an indelible mark on all who had the privilege to encounter him. His legacy will continue to inspire our work and our mission to protect the ocean and its inhabitants.
“Rest in peace, Hvaldimir. You will be deeply missed, but never forgotten.”
