A beluga whale previously accused of being a Russian spy was found dead in Norway.
Animal rights groups have raised concerns over the death of Hvaldimir, the whale, who became a celebrity in 2019.
The whale, first spotted off Norway’s coast in 2019 with a harness marked “Equipment St. Petersburg,” was found dead on the coast of Norway on Saturday, reports claims.
The Whale Was Shot
Two animal rights groups have filed a complaint with Norwegian police urging them to launch a criminal investigation into the incident.
Regina Crosby Haug, the head of One Whale, reported that Hvaldimir’s body showed multiple bullet wounds which suggests an intention behind the murder.
The whale’s body was transported to the Norwegian Veterinary Institute for an autopsy, with results expected in about three weeks.
Was Hvaldimir A Spy?
The Russian government has not officially responded to having tied to Hvaldimir but experts believe he was indeed being used by Russia for intelligence.
According to the BBC, Hvaldimir’s friendliness is believed to be a result of training from the Russian Navy.
