A beluga whale, thought to have been utilized for espionage by Russian forces and known for its personality, was discovered deceased on Saturday.

The beluga, named Hvaldimir, was located after being seen drifting near Norway’s coast by Marine Mind, an organization monitoring the whale since its appearance in 2019 near Risavika.

This whale was initially found with a harness featuring a camera mount labeled “Equipment St. Petersburg,” discovered by a fisherman at Norway’s northernmost tip. Hvaldimir was famously friendly, allowing people to touch its nose and became a beloved figure in the Baltic Sea area.

Marine Mind expressed in a Facebook post on August 31, “Hvaldimir was more than just a beluga; he symbolized hope, connection, and the vital relationship between humans and nature. He created a unique bond between people and wildlife.”

Marine Mind mentioned that a necropsy will be conducted, but didn’t provide a timeline for when this will happen in response to YSL News’ inquiry.

Military use of marine mammals since the Cold War

The practice of employing marine creatures for military tasks dates back to the Cold War era, as both the U.S. and the Soviet Union trained dolphins for ship protection, harbor security, and detecting submarines and mines.

A report by the U.S. Naval Institute News in 2022 stated that whale facilities were uncovered at Olenya Guba, a Russian naval base known for deep-sea research. Dolphins were also trained by Russia to secure their naval operations in the Black Sea.

Hvaldimir’s sociable nature is believed to stem from training by the Russian military, though allegations surrounding his use as a spy have been denied by the country as per BBC reports.

The whale’s name cleverly references Russian President Vladimir Putin.