The former spy whale had been known to frequent areas near aquaculture sites, where it preyed on fish feeding on surplus feed.
The beluga whale, suspected of being a Russian intelligence asset, was found dead in Stavanger harbor on Saturday, August 31.
The cause of death remains unknown, prompting Norway’s Directorate of Fisheries to order an autopsy.
A frequent visitor to salmon farms, Hvaldimir the Russian spy whale is found dead
The whale’s remains were kept in the Stavanger area over the weekend and will be examined at the Veterinary Institute’s department in Sandnes starting Monday, September 2.
While the autopsy may reveal the cause of death, there is also a possibility that it might not provide a definitive answer.
Hvaldimir first appeared in Måsøy, Finnmark, in April 2019 and has since been spotted along the Norwegian coast and briefly on the Swedish west coast. Most recently, the whale had been residing in Rogaland, primarily in the Ryfylke region, before being found dead near Stavanger.
White whales, or belugas, are protected species typically found in the Arctic near Svalbard and Greenland.
Following the autopsy, the Norwegian Veterinary Institute will follow strict guidelines for the handling of biological material. Unless other arrangements are made, the carcass will be destroyed according to infection control regulations.
