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Hvaldimir, a “celebrity” white beluga whale, was recently found dead in southern Norway, sparking a lot of speculation and theories. Some animal rights groups are suggesting the whale may have been killed intentionally.
OneWhale and NOAH have requested a criminal investigation, claiming there is strong evidence that the whale died from a gunshot wound.
According to OneWhale, a nonprofit focused on protecting Hvaldimir and relocating him to a wild beluga group, multiple experts — including veterinarians, biologists and ballistics experts — have examined the evidence and concluded that an intentional act caused the whale’s death.
“The injuries on the whale are worrying – it’s shocking… It’s important that the police get involved as quickly as possible. All the facts about her death must be brought to light,” said Siri Martinsen, a veterinarian and leader of NOAH.
Regina Hogg, founder of OneWhale, talked about her close relationship with whales over the past five years.
“When I saw his body, I immediately knew he had been shot. I even saw a bullet in his body. This kind, gentle animal was needlessly killed. We will seek justice for Hvaldimir and hope someone comes forward with information about his murder,” Hogg said.
According to CNN, Hvaldimir became famous in 2019 after he was spotted with a custom harness, which led to rumors of his possible training by the Russian military. Now, with his sudden death, there are claims that he was possibly shot, adding a layer of mystery and concern about the real cause of his death.
‘One of a kind celebrity’
Superintendent Victor Fain-Jensen of the Southwestern Police District declined to comment on whether his department had investigated claims that Whaley may have been a Russian spy.
“I don’t think we’ve had a case like this before,” he told CNN, describing Hvaldimir as “a kind of celebrity.”
Before Hvaldimir’s death, OneWhale and NOAH were trying to relocate him to a safe area in northern Norway. They had obtained a permit from the Norwegian Fisheries Directorate.
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