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Hvaldimir, the well-known beluga whale in Norway, has been found dead, according to conservationists. Hvaldimir first gained attention in 2019 when he was spotted with a harness, leading to speculation that he had been trained as a spy by Russia. This beluga, named as a play on words combining "whale" in Norwegian and Russian President Vladimir Putin's name, became a local celebrity for his friendly interactions with people.
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The whale was found lifeless near the town of Risavika by a fisherman and his son. The cause of his death remains unknown, and a necropsy is planned to determine what happened. Hvaldimir was estimated to be around 15 years old, a young age for a beluga, which can live up to 60 years.
Marine Mind, the organization that had been monitoring Hvaldimir, expressed their shock and sadness at his passing. Despite several scars from boat collisions, Hvaldimir had been adapting to life around humans. His death coincides with increasing tensions between Norway and Russia, particularly in the context of the Ukraine conflict. Norway, a NATO member, has been bolstering its defenses in response to the escalating situation.
[With information from Business Insider]
