The white beluga whale suspected of being a Russian “spy whale” has died in Norway.
Known as Hvaldimir, the beluga was first discovered by a group of Norwegian fishermen around 180 miles from the Russian maritime border in 2019 after it swam to the group’s boat wearing a harness attached to a small camera, which also read, “Equipment St Petersburg” in English.
This discovery led to the belief that the whale was a Russian spy — although the Russian navy denied the claims at the time, explaining in a statement to a Russian broadcaster in 2019, “We have military dolphins for combat roles, we don’t cover that up,” reported BBC News.
“If we were using this animal for spying do you really think we’d attach a mobile number with the message ‘please call this number?’ ” the Russian Navy reportedly added.
In a post on Instagram on Saturday, Aug. 31, the Marine Mind NGO penned a tribute to Hvaldimer to announce his death.
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Jorgen Ree Wiig, Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries via AP
“*In loving memory of Hvaldimir* It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of Hvaldimir’s passing,” their caption read. “This morning, after receiving a sighting report from a local, our team arrived to find Hvaldimir floating peacefully in the water. It is not immediately clear what caused his death, a necropsy will be conducted to determine his early passing.”
“Over the past five years, he touched the lives of tens of thousands, bringing people together in awe of the wonders of nature,” they continued alongside photos of the whale. “His presence taught us about the importance of ocean conservation, and in doing so, he also taught us more about ourselves.”
The NGO added that, “Hvaldimir bridged the gap between humans and wild animals in a way that few can. He was special to so many, leaving a lasting mark on all who had the privilege to encounter him.”
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Jorgen Ree Wiig, Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries via AP
“Rest in peace, Hvaldimir. You will be deeply missed, but never forgotten. ????????,” they said before concluding with hashtags, “#Hvaldimir #MarineMind #OceanConservation #BelugaWhale #InMemory.”
In a statement to PEOPLE, the Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries said that Hvaldimir was found in the harbor of Stavanger in southwestern Norway. The 14-foot, 2,700-pound whale had reportedly been living in the area since 2023, per NBC News.
“Due to the great attention around the whale, the Directorate of Fisheries decided to have an autopsy done in an effort to determine the cause of death,” added the Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries. “The autopsy is conducted by the Norwegian Veterinary Institute, and the conclusion will be public in two or three weeks.”
