A white beluga "spy" whale found dead in Norway on Sunday was shot, animal rights groups caring for the animal allege.
The friendly whale, known as Hvaldimir – a portmanteau of the Norwegian word for whale, 'hval', and Russian president Vladimir Putin – was wearing a harness fitted with what appeared to be a camera mount near Russian waters in 2019, sparking rumours he may be a Russian spy.
He was found dead by a father and son fishing off Risavika Bay in southern Norway on September 1.
Today, animal rights groups OneWhale – which was founded to monitor Hvaldimir – and NOAH filed a police report with the Sandnes Police District and the Norwegian National Authority for Investigation and Prosecution of Economic and Environmental Crime (Økokrim) alleging the whale had been fatally shot.
"OneWhale, a non-profit organisation dedicated to the protection of Hvaldimir, and NOAH, Norway’s largest animal rights organisation, have taken this action based on compelling evidence suggesting that Hvaldimir’s death was caused by intentional human-inflicted injury," OneWhale said on its website.
It said the official results of the necropsy was pending but the "preliminary findings indicate that the whale was killed by gunshot wounds".
"Several veterinarians, biologists, and ballistics experts have reviewed photographic evidence, including close-ups of Hvaldimir’s injuries. Their assessments strongly suggest that the whale’s death was the result of a criminal act, prompting the need for immediate police involvement."
NOAH leader and veterinarian Siri Martinsen called his injuries "alarming and of a nature that cannot rule out a criminal act — it is shocking".
"Given the suspicion of a criminal act, it is crucial that the police are involved quickly. Hvaldimir was significant to many, and all facts must be brought to light regarding his death."
OneWhale founder Regina Haug, who knew Hvaldimir "very well", said she was devastated by his death.
"When I saw his body and the multiple injuries, I immediately knew he had been killed by gunshots. I even saw a bullet lodged in his body," she said.
"There is no question that this kind, gentle animal was senselessly murdered. We will pursue justice for Hvaldimir and hope that someone comes forward with information about his killing.”
NOAH and OneWhale had been working to relocate the whale to safer waters with other belugas in northern Norway prior to his death.
"There were many obstacles that prevented his move from happening sooner, including bureaucratic processes, poorly defined laws, misinformation, and sadly, attempts by other organisations to block his move," Haug said.
"Despite this, we were so close to finally getting Hvaldimir to safer waters and giving him a chance at a sustainable future. Our worst fears came true when his young life was cut short.
"Our hope is that Hvaldimir’s tragedy will be a lesson and never be repeated."
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