In a shocking turn of events, Hvaldimir, the world-famous beluga known as the Russian spy whale, was found dead just over a week ago, leaving many in mourning. Preliminary results from his necropsy have been released, raising more questions than answers and adding to the enigmatic circumstances surrounding his existence.

Hvaldimir rose to international fame when he was discovered in Norwegian waters wearing a perplexing harness inscribed with the words "equipment of St Petersburg" in 2019. This sparked theories that he was a trained Russian whale, captivating the curiosity of the world.

Despite appearing to be in good physical condition before his untimely demise, the preliminary necropsy findings revealed that Hvaldimir had no food in his stomach, and his internal organs were collapsing. However, one particular discovery has left experts baffled—the presence of a 35 cm stick inside his mouth.

According to reports, locals would often engage in a game of fetch with Hvaldimir, and there were instances in 2021 where people would place objects in his mouth to observe his reactions. It is plausible that Hvaldimir picked up the stick to entertain himself during his solitary swims. This unexpected detail has taken even dedicated observers by surprise, who admit they had never thought to check inside the whale's mouth.

Prior to the release of the necropsy results, speculation arose that Hvaldimir may have been shot. Concerns were raised by non-profit group One Whale and local animal rights campaigners NOAH, who filed a police report requesting an investigation. These suspicions were based on tiny round markings on Hvaldimir's body resembling bullet holes. However, the police have now stated that most of the wounds were superficial, ruling out any evidence of harm caused by humans.

One Whale and NOAH, however, remain unconvinced by the official findings, suggesting that satisfactory explanations for the suspicious markings on Hvaldimir's body have not been provided. In a joint statement, they expressed their dissatisfaction with the focus on the stick found in the whale's mouth. As a result, they have offered a reward of Norwegian krone 50,000 ($6,900) for any information that could lead to the reopening of the police investigation.

The debate surrounding Hvaldimir's future adds another layer of complexity to this perplexing story. One Whale had been actively working with local authorities to relocate the beloved beluga closer to Russian waters due to concerns about his welfare. However, more than 70 scientists and conservationists signed a letter opposing the idea, fearing it could put Hvaldimir's life at greater risk and hinder his ability to adapt to a new environment.

As the final necropsy is still two weeks away, eagerly awaited to provide more detailed insights, Sebastian Strand, the founder of Marine Mind and a passionate advocate for Hvaldimir's well-being, expressed his exhaustion and heartbreak. He plans to take some time to rest and mourn the loss of the friendly whale.

The mysterious circumstances surrounding Hvaldimir's death continue to captivate the world's attention, leaving many hoping for the truth behind this extraordinary marine legend.