‘Russian Spy Whale’ Hvaldimir Found Dead in Norway: ‘He Was Special’

The white beluga whale suspected of being a Russian “spy whale” has died in Norway.

Known as Hvaldimir, the beluga was first found by a bunch of Norwegian fishermen round 180 miles from the Russian maritime border in 2019 after it swam to the group’s boat sporting a harness hooked up to a small digicam, which additionally learn, “Equipment St Petersburg” in English.

This discovery led to the assumption that the whale was a Russian spy — though the Russian navy denied the claims on the time, explaining in a press release 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 put up on Instagram on Saturday, Aug. 31, the Marine Mind NGO penned a tribute to Hvaldimer to announce his demise.

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“*In loving memory of Hvaldimir* It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of Hvaldimir’s passing,” their caption learn. “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 pictures 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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“Rest in peace, Hvaldimir. You will be deeply missed, but never forgotten. 🌊💙,” they stated earlier than concluding with hashtags, “#Hvaldimir #MarineMind #OceanConservation #BelugaWhale #InMemory.”

In a press release to PEOPLE, the Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries stated that Hvaldimir was discovered within the harbor of Stavanger in southwestern Norway. The 14-foot, 2,700-pound whale had reportedly been dwelling within the space since 2023, per NBC News.

“Due to the good consideration across the whale, the Directorate of Fisheries determined to have an post-mortem accomplished in an effort to find out the reason for demise,” added the Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries. “The post-mortem is carried out by the Norwegian Veterinary Institute, and the conclusion will likely be public in two or three weeks.”