Russian 'spy whale' likely died from infection

oslo - Norwegian police say the deceased beluga Hvaldimir, also known as the 'Russian spy whale', likely died from a bacterial infection, ruling out death by human hands after animal rights organizations claimed it had been shot.

Norwegian police announced that the deceased beluga Hvaldimir, also known as the 'Russian spy whale', likely succumbed to a bacterial infection. Earlier, death by human intervention was ruled out after some animal rights organizations alleged that the world-famous animal was shot.

In September, it was revealed that a 35-centimeter stick was lodged in the whale's mouth. A police official stated on Friday that the infection may have been a result of injuries in its mouth caused by the stick. 'The stick may have also made it difficult for Hvaldimir to eat, increasing the risk of infection,' the official said.

Hvaldimir was found dead off the coast of Norway at the end of August. The beluga made headlines in 2019 when it was discovered with a harness that could hold a small camera, marked with 'St. Petersburg'. Norwegian officials suggested the animal may have been trained by the Russian navy and escaped, a claim never confirmed by Russia.

Hvaldimir was estimated to be 15 to 20 years old. His name was a combination of the Norwegian word for whale (hval) and the first name of Russian President Vladimir Putin.