Hvaldimir, the Russian spy whale has actually been located dead. The charming beluga attracted around the world focus in 2019 when he was uncovered in Norwegian waters putting on a harness analysis ‘‘equipment of St Petersburg”.
Authorities had been considering moving him back to waters closer to Russia, although this proved controversial and more than 70 experts from 17 had signed an open letter urging against the plan. Local media reported Hvaldimir was discovered on Saturday (local time) by a father and son who were fishing in waters off Risavika in the country’s south. It’s still too early to determine his cause of death.
Hvaldimir had appeared in good health
Hvaldimir’s daily movements had been monitored daily by non-profit Marine Mind and news of his death is understood to have been a shock to those close to him.
The group’s founder Sebastian Strand said in August that Hvaldimir appeared to be doing well. “The whale has a good body condition and does not display signs of mental anguish,” he said.
In a brief statement on Saturday night, Strand told Yahoo News it had been “chaos” after Hvaldimir’s death and he was working to try and “do him justice” and ensure his body was treated with respect.
Dolphin and whale activist Ric O’Barry told Yahoo News he was feeling “very upset” after hearing about Hvaldimir’s death. And he said it was important that an independent necropsy be carried out to find out what killed him.
“There were a lot of people I know who fell in love with this whale,” he added.
More to come.
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