In a tragic turn of events, a beluga whale that gained international attention due to suspicions of being trained as a spy by Russia has been discovered dead with multiple bullet wounds. Animal rights organizations in Norway, NOAH and One Whale, have filed a complaint with the Norwegian police, urging them to launch a criminal investigation into the incident.

The white beluga whale, affectionately nicknamed "Hvaldimir" as a wordplay on the Norwegian term for whale, hval, and its alleged Russian connections, first made headlines when it appeared off the coast of Norway's Finnmark region in 2019. The creature's peculiar harness, bearing the words "Equipment St. Petersburg" in English, fueled speculation that it might have been trained by the Russian navy.

Tragically, Hvaldimir's life came to an untimely end when his lifeless body was found in a bay along Norway's southwestern coast on Saturday. The body was subsequently transported to a local branch of the Norwegian Veterinary Institute for a thorough autopsy. Regina Crosby Haug, the head of One Whale, described the distressing sight, revealing that the beluga had multiple bullet wounds.

Both NOAH and One Whale expressed shock and concern over the suspicious injuries, with NOAH director Siri Martinsen stating, "The injuries on the whale are alarming and of a nature that cannot rule out a criminal act - it is shocking." The organizations are determined to seek justice for Hvaldimir and shed light on the circumstances surrounding his death.

Marine Mind, another organization that tracked the beluga's movements, reported discovering Hvaldimir's lifeless body floating in the water on Saturday afternoon. Although some markings on the whale may be attributed to marine birds, the cause of death remains uncertain at this stage. Sebastian Strand, the director of Marine Mind, emphasized the need for further investigation to determine the full extent of the tragedy.

Hvaldimir was a relatively young beluga whale, estimated to be between 15 and 20 years old. Typically, these magnificent creatures can live up to 40 to 60 years. Norwegian marine biologists initially found Hvaldimir wearing a man-made harness equipped with an action camera mount, further fueling suspicions of his involvement in covert activities. This discovery prompted speculation that the beluga had escaped from an enclosure and possibly underwent training by the Russian navy.

The Russian military has previously been linked to attempts to utilize sea mammals for military purposes, such as combat dolphins. Last year, British military intelligence suggested that Russia was training these dolphins to counter Ukrainian forces. The circumstances surrounding Hvaldimir's training, if any, remain shrouded in mystery.

The news of Hvaldimir's tragic demise has left organizations and supporters devastated. One Whale expressed their sorrow, stating, "We are heartbroken. We are angry, too, as we have had to fight so hard, for so long to help him out of danger. And he was finally so close to having a better life."

As investigations delve into the circumstances surrounding Hvaldimir's death, animal rights groups and concerned individuals alike hope for answers and justice to be served for the remarkable beluga whale whose life caught the attention and hearts of people worldwide.