The world-famous beluga Hvaldimir died suddenly on Saturday, in Risavika harbor in Sola municipality. The death arouses reactions in Norway and internationally. “Hvaldimir, a famous ‘spy whale’ has been found dead in Norway”, writes the New York Times. When news met the harbor authorities in Stavanger on Saturday evening, it was unclear what would happen to Hvaldimir. Maritime coordinator Fredrik Skarbøvik in the Stavanger region Havn looked after the beluga, which was on a loading platform near Vågen in Stavanger. Around 21.00 on Friday, Hvaldimir was driven off to a cold store. But where? In Strandkaien in Stavanger, Fredrik Skarbøvik watched over Hvaldimir on Saturday evening. He works as a maritime coordinator in the Port of Stavanger region. Photo: Odd Rune Kyllingstad / news And what happened afterwards? A complicated last journey On Sunday afternoon, the sun shines in Stavanger, and news calls researcher and biologist Sebastian Strand. He works in the organization Marine Mind, which has followed Hvaldimir closely over several years. He was also present when the whale was found and brought ashore on Saturday. Strand takes the phone, but is very vague when news asks questions about where Hvaldimir is. All he wants to say is that Hvaldimir is safe, cold and locked up. But he can’t say where. – He is in a refrigerated truck in the Stavanger region, says Strand on Sunday morning. Biologist Sebastian Strand has worked with Hvaldimir for three years, and is deeply affected by the death. Photo: Odd Rune Kyllingstad / news Who is actually responsible for Hvaldimir? The answer is complicated. The Directorate of Fisheries has management responsibility for marine mammals in Norway. But when Hvaldimir was found dead, he was hoisted ashore. Sola municipality was then responsible. But shortly afterwards, Hvaldimir was transported by the port authorities into Stavanger municipality. And when Hvaldimir is put on the autopsy table on Monday, it will be the Veterinary Institute’s responsibility. A secret place Until then, the Directorate of Fisheries has taken over responsibility for communication. The directorate makes it clear to news that it is out of the question to tell where Hvaldimir is on the keel. – We are not going to state where this animal is kept, says communications manager Olav Lekve at the Directorate of Fisheries. – Why? – Because we don’t want any more unnecessary attention. – Why? – We do not want to create more attention related to this whale than necessary, repeats Lekve. – What do you fear will happen if you tell? – I don’t need to say much about that. Suffice it to say that we don’t want more attention, says Lekve. The directorate’s communications manager says that the whale is in “optimal storage” until autopsy. That is, a cold storage at Bryne. news finally succeeds in tracking down Hvaldimir’s provisional resting place, but meets with closed doors. The plan is for Hvaldimir to be transported in a refrigerated truck, and on to the Veterinary Institute on Monday. Asle Haukaas at the Veterinary Institute confirms that Hvaldimir will undergo an autopsy in Sandnes. He says that it normally takes three weeks before an autopsy report is ready. What happened to Hvaldimir? The organizations Marine Mind and One Whale have followed Hvaldimir closely in recent years, and have at times been at odds over where Hvaldimir should live. Photo: Jane Evelyn Karlsen / PRIVAT Both organizations agree, however, that Hvaldimir appeared healthy and without signs of illness in the last time before his death. Sebastian Strand in Marine Mind was one of the first to find Hvaldimir, floating in Risavika harbour. He observed some superficial wounds on Hvaldimir, most likely from fulger. – He looked relatively intact. There was no obvious cause of death, says a distressed Strand. He does not want to speculate on causes, but says no damage from boat propellers was found on the whale. – It will be interesting to see what the autopsy shows. Whether it was due to illness, heart failure or something else. It can actually be most things, says Strand. The biologist hopes the results can provide answers. – Hvaldimir has meant an incredible amount, both to me and to many others. An incredibly nice being, whom I will miss deeply. Published 01.09.2024, at 19.00
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Here lies Hvaldimir on the keel – news Rogaland – Local news, TV and radio
