Norwegian police have rejected accusations from local animal rights groups suggesting that the death of a beluga whale, suspected to be a Russian spy, was intentional.
The whale, known as “Hvaldimir,” was found dead in southwestern Norway’s waters on August 31. Hvaldimir had attracted global attention when it was seen off Norway’s Arctic coast with a harness that seemed to hold a camera.
Upon discovering the whale’s body, NOAH, Norway’s leading animal rights organization, and OneWhale, dedicated to protecting the whale, suspected foul play and filed a complaint, alleging Hvaldimir had been shot.
However, in a press release on Monday, the police, represented by Amund Preede Revheim, head of the North Sea and Environment section at the Sør-West police district’s joint intelligence and investigation unit, stated that preliminary autopsy results show no evidence of gunshot wounds.
Instead, the autopsy revealed a 14-inch stick lodged in Hvaldimir's mouth. The report indicated that the whale’s stomach was empty, most organs had deteriorated, and there was no indication of human activity causing the whale's death. The visible wounds on the whale’s body were described as superficial and not affecting vital organs. X-rays of the whale's front, where the wounds were located, showed no signs of bullet injuries or projectiles.
Given these findings, police announced they would cease active investigation of the case. The final autopsy report is expected within two weeks.
Activists, however, remain sceptical. On Facebook, OneWhale offered a $5,000 reward for information regarding Hvaldimir's death. NOAH echoed their concerns, questioning the police’s explanation and the unexplained bullet-like marks on the whale's body. NOAH called for a comprehensive investigation, emphasising that the current findings, including the stick in Hvaldimir’s mouth, raise more questions than they answer. They insisted on full transparency and a thorough explanation of the whale’s demise.
Recently, the Arctic Century wrote that activists say that the ‘Russian Spy Whale‘ was shot in Norway.
Source: The Arctic Century.
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