‘Russian spy’ beluga whale Hvaldimir was not shot dead

Hvaldimir, a beluga whale believed to be a Russian spy, was not shot, as originally reported. A post-mortem examination revealed that he likely died from a bacterial infection, with a stick stuck in his mouth as a possible cause. The Norwegian authorities found no evidence of gunshot wounds, and the whale’s remains are being donated to a museum for public display. This case highlights the importance of marine life protection and accurate reporting regarding oceanic creatures.