Whodunnit?

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A beloved beluga whale named Hvaldimir, believed to be a former Russian spy, was found dead in a Norwegian harbor earlier this week, prompting calls for a criminal investigation after conservation groups alleged he was shot dead, Newsweek reported Thursday.

The lifeless body of Hvaldimir, a 14-foot, 2,700-pound cetacean, was found floating on Norway’s southwestern coast Saturday. The cause of his death has not yet been determined and authorities are still conducting an autopsy on the animal’s body.

But on Wednesday, conservation groups OneWhale and NOAH filed a police report, claiming there was “compelling evidence suggesting that Hvaldimir’s death was caused by intentional human-inflicted injury.”

The preliminary evidence cited by the organizations included photos showing blood streaks and holes in the whale’s body. Ballistics experts reviewing the images supported the theory of foul play, they added.

Police have acknowledged the report from OneWhale and NOAH and are determining whether an investigation is warranted. The Norwegian Veterinary Institute also emphasized they would involve authorities if evidence of suspicious activity is found.

The whale first appeared off the coast of Norway in 2019, wearing a harness labeled “Equipment St. Petersburg” and what appeared to be a mount for a small camera. This prompted speculation that he had been trained by the Russian military, earning him the nickname “spy whale.”

Known for its highly social and interactive behavior, the animal quickly captured the hearts of the locals and tourists. His name is a combination of the Norwegian word for whale “hval” and the first name of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

He was approximately 15 years old at the time of his death, relatively young for a beluga, which can live up to 70 years in the wild.

Hvaldimir became a symbol of ongoing discussions about animal welfare and the risks marine animals face due to human exploitation and political entanglements.

The whale’s death occurred amid efforts to relocate him to safer waters in northern Norway, a plan opposed by another nonprofit, Marine Mind, which found his body over the weekend.

The organization’s CEO Sebastian Strand told NBC News that some injuries might have been caused by sea birds but refrained from speculating on the cause of death until autopsy results are available.