31-5-2023 (STOCKHOLM) A beluga whale, initially discovered in Norway in 2019 wearing a harness that fueled speculation about its possible association with the Russian navy, has resurfaced off the coast of Sweden, according to an organization tracking its movements.
When the beluga first appeared in Norway’s Finnmark region, marine biologists removed a harness with “Equipment St Petersburg” printed on the plastic clasps, leading officials to speculate that it may have been trained by the Russian navy or escaped from an enclosure. Dubbed “Hvaldimir” by Norwegians, a play on the Norwegian word for “whale” and a nod to its alleged Russian connection, the beluga has recently been observed in Hunnebostrand, off Sweden’s southwestern coast, according to the OneWhale organization.
OneWhale reported that Hvaldimir spent over three years slowly moving along the northern half of Norway’s coastline before accelerating in recent months and making its way to Sweden. Marine biologist Sebastian Strand from OneWhale expressed surprise at the beluga’s increased speed, speculating that it could be driven by hormones or a desire to find other beluga whales for social interaction. However, the closest population of belugas is located in Norway’s Svalbard archipelago, and Hvaldimir has not encountered any other belugas since its arrival in Norway in 2019.
BREAKING NEWS: Hvaldimir has left Norwegian waters and is now in Sweden. We are working with the Swedish authorities. pic.twitter.com/9JQpVdcB6T
— OneWhale (@onewhaleorg) May 29, 2023
Although the whale appears to be in good health, having fed on wild fish near Norway’s salmon farms, concerns have been raised about its ability to find food in Sweden. The organization has already noted some weight loss. Beluga whales, known to reach sizes of up to six meters and live for 40 to 60 years, typically inhabit the icy waters around Greenland, northern Norway, and Russia.
Hvaldimir’s behavior of actively seeking out human contact has led experts to believe that it behaves more like a lost or abandoned domesticated animal rather than a wild whale. The speculation about its potential ties to the Russian navy has not received any official reaction from Moscow.
