Norwegian Police Conclude 'Spy Whale' Hvaldimir's Death Due to Infection

Hvaldimir, the beluga whale nicknamed the 'spy whale' for a Russian harness it wore, was found dead in Norway. An autopsy revealed he died from a bacterial infection due to a mouth wound caused by a lodged stick, not gunshot wounds. The skeleton will be donated to a Norwegian museum.

Hvaldimir, a beluga whale famously dubbed the 'spy whale' for a Russian harness it was once found wearing, died in Norway on August 31 due to a bacterial infection, according to Norwegian police.

The infection was attributed to a mouth wound caused by a lodged stick.

Initial suspicions of gunshot wounds were disproven after an autopsy by Norway's Veterinary Institute found no bullet traces.

The whale's 2019 appearance with a harness inscribed 'Equipment St. Petersburg' led to espionage theories.

Hvaldimir's remains will be donated to the Nature Museum & Botanical Garden in Agder, Norway.