Hvaldimir, 'Russian spy' beluga whale, may have been shot dead

Hvaldimir, the beluga whale and alleged Russian spy, was killed by gunshots, animal rights groups OneWhale and NOAH said Wednesday amid an autopsy.

Who shot Hvaldimir?

The sudden death of the beloved whale and alleged Russian spy took an unexpected turn toward a possible murder mystery Wednesday as two conservation groups filed a police report and alleged that the white beluga was killed by gunfire.

An autopsy was ongoing, however, and officials told NBC News that a definitive assessment could take up to three weeks.

The whale, who stole hearts and minds in regular appearances along the coast of Norway, was found dead last weekend in the harbor of Stavanger, a city in the country’s southwest.

Hvaldimir was known for his highly sociable and interactive behavior, as well as for wearing a harness that read “Equipment St. Petersburg,” and what appeared to be a mount for a small camera. 

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/hvaldimir-russian-spy-whale-shot-dead-beluga-norway-rcna169496

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