Alleged Russian Spy Whale Reappears off Sweden's Coast

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Facts

  • A harness-wearing Beluga whale that has previously raised suspicions of being a Russian-trained spy has been spotted off Sweden's southwestern coast in Hunnebostrand, according to a Monday statement from OneWhale — an organization tracking his movements.1
  • First spotted in Norway's northern region of Finnmark in 2019, the whale has reportedly spent more than three years moving down the Norwegian coastline before picking up its pace in recent months and reaching Sweden on Sunday.2
  • The unconfirmed speculation surrounding the whale nicknamed "Hvaldimir" — a combination of the Norwegian word for whale as well as Vladimir — began in 2019 when biologists found the whale was wearing a GoPro reading "Equipment St. Petersburg." Moscow has never officially commented on the matter.3
  • Meanwhile, speaking on Hvaldimir's recent movement, OneWhale's Sebastian Strand commented that it's unknown why the whale is currently moving so fast, noting Hvaldimir was moving away from conditions that favor Belugas.4
  • Strand suggested that Hvaldimir's sudden change of speed may be due to hormones "driving him to find a mate" or potentially "loneliness" — with Belugas being a "very social species" and Hvaldimir believed to have not seen another of his kind since arriving in Norway.5
  • Believed to be approximately 13-14 years old, Strand affirmed that the whale was at an age where hormones would be "very high." Beluga whales can reach 20 feet long and live approximately 40-60 years, normally inhabiting areas around Greenland, northern Norway, and Russia.6

Sources: 1CBS, 2Guardian, 3Forbes, 4Euronews, 5France 24, and 6Digital Journal.

Narratives

  • Narrative A, as provided by Press Reels. Hvaldimir’s limelight is undermined by a shadow of danger, and his continued interactions with humans pose a threat to his own life. With accidents involving propellers already occurring, there remains a stark reminder of the risks that inevitably accompany Hvaldimir’s incredible story.
  • Narrative B, as provided by IFL Science. Authorities have taken great care to make sure that Hvaldimir has stayed clear of boat traffic, despite being vulnerable to Sweden’s large ocean population. Meanwhile, plans are in the works to create a marine reserve with the hope that, in time, Hvaldimir will be rehabilitated into the wild, but for now, the whale is enjoying a summer break.