Animal rights groups call for police probe after 'Russian spy' beluga whale shot to death

Animal rights groups are calling for a criminal investigation into the recent death of a white beluga whale who became famous amid speculation he could be a "Russian spy."

The organizations OneWhale and NOAH said Wednesday they filed a request for a criminal investigation with the Norwegian police, saying the whale, nicknamed Hvaldimir, was killed by gunshots.

Various veterinarians, biologists and ballistics experts examined Hvaldimir's injuries and determined his death "was the result of a criminal act," OneWhale said in an Instagram post.

“The injuries on the whale are alarming — it is shocking… it is crucial that the police are involved quickly. All facts must be brought to light regarding his death,” wrote Siri Martinsen, veterinarian and leader of NOAH, on social media.

OneWhale is a nonprofit organization focused on the protection and education about Hvaldimir, a name combining the Norwegian word for whale, Hval, and the first name of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

He was first spotted in 2019 in Norway near the northern island of Ingøya wearing a harness and what appeared to be a mount for a small camera and a buckle with the text, “Equipment St. Petersburg," The Associated Press reported. This stoked allegations the beluga was a "spy whale" because the Russian navy has been known to train whales for military use.

Hvaldimir was lifted out of the water with a crane over the weekend after his carcass was spotted floating at the Risavika Bay in southern Norway on Saturday by a father and son who were fishing, the AP reported, citing the Norwegian public broadcaster NRK.

He was brought to the Norwegian Veterinary Institute, which is conducting the autopsy. The Hill reached out to the institute for comment.

The Institute told NBC News the autopsy is ongoing and that it could not comment on results under there was sufficient information to release a conclusion.

In photos posted by OneWhale, Hvaldimir's body appeared to have streaks of blood and holes. Regina Haug, the founder of OneWhale, said she saw a bullet lodged in his body.

Marine biologist Sebastian Strand, who monitored Hvaldimi's journey for the past few years, told NRK the whale's immediate cause of death was not known and that no major external injuries were visible on the animal, per the AP.

“It’s absolutely horrible,” Strand reportedly said. “He was apparently in good condition as of [Friday]. So we just have to figure out what might have happened here.”

The 14-foot-long whale was spotted various times over the years in Norwegian coastal towns and often appeared tame and enjoyed being around people, NRK reported.

OneWhale said it had been actively working to relocate Hvaldimir to safer waters in northern Norway to be with other belugas. Strand, however, filed a complaint to block the move and argued the whale was not at risk, OneWhale said.