Uncertainty about Hvaldimir’s cause of death – today he will undergo an autopsy

Hvaldimir has until now been refrigerated awaiting necropsy.

– He came to us today and will undergo an autopsy today. It takes place at the Veterinary Institute’s premises in Sandnes, it was the most convenient and closest location. But the autopsy report takes three weeks in such cases. We have no plans to release anything before then. The Directorate of Fisheries will be notified first, anyway, says senior communications advisor Bente Paulson at the Veterinary Institute to NTB.

Found dead Saturday

The organization Marine Mind has followed and worked on Hvaldimir’s case in recent years. The famous white whale was observed alive around 12 o’clock on Saturday. Around one hour later, the whale was observed lifeless in the harbor basin, lying belly up in Tananger in Rogaland. A crane was used to hoist Hvaldimir up.

– We have coordinated this in collaboration with the Directorate of Fisheries, says researcher Sebastian Strand, head of the organization Marine Mind, to NTB.

He says there has been a lot of activity after the news of the whale’s death came – both good and bad.

– Many people want to know where he is kept now, but we are trying to shield the process, so that this will be a dignified process, says Strand.

Strong reactions

He says that those who have worked with the beluga are very sorry and shocked by what has happened.

– At the same time, it has been nice to see and experience how many people care, that there are so many who express that he has meant a lot to them.

Since his appearance in 2019, Hvaldimir has been observed in a number of Norwegian coastal towns. It quickly became clear that he was very tame. Among other things, he came swimming if he was called, liked to be scratched around the blow hole and liked to play with people.

– It’s an incredible effect when we get marine mammals at close range, it’s a privilege.

Won’t speculate

Hvaldimir was probably between 15 and 20 years old. according to World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) beluga whales usually live between 30 and 35 years of age.

When the whale was found, it only had minor superficial injuries, which, according to Strand, appear to have been caused by seabirds.

– So far, no immediate explanation for the death has been seen. It is far too early to make a statement, and therefore we are waiting until the necropsy comes to give an answer, he says.

I don’t think he died naturally

Regina Crosby Haug, head of the voluntary organization One Whale, which has followed Hvaldimir for the past five years, believes the whale has been hit by a boat.

– We are devastated by the news that Hvaldimir has been found dead, she says to Stavanger Aftenblad.

She does not believe that Hvaldimir died of natural causes.

– He was healthy and had no signs of illness. My guess is that he was hit by a boat and died of internal injuries. We have documented that Hvaldimir has swum with boats, and he has previously been hit by a boat, says Haug.