In Norway, a whale that was cherished was rumored to be a Russian "spy" and was subsequently slain.

In Norway, Havldimir rapidly gained fame as a celebrity, winning over the hearts of the Nordic people through his swimming prowess.

In 2019, a beluga whale in northern Norway wearing a harness with "Equipment St Petersburg" written in English connected to a small camera was discovered near the island of Ingoya.

Vladimir Putin, referred to as Hvaldimir by Norwegians due to the combination of the Norwegian word for whale and his name, was intelligent, friendly, and responded to hand signals, leading Norway's spy agency to believe he had been held captive by Russia and used for research purposes.

Despite being restrained by his harness, Hvaldimir's amiable demeanor endeared him to the nation once he was liberated.

The Norwegian government fed and monitored him, labeling him a "free-swimming whale" by the Norwegian Orca Survey. He journeyed as far as Sweden but consistently returned home, as reported by The Telegraph.

Hvaldimir was found dead off southern Norway last weekend.

"According to marine biologist Sebastian Strand, who worked with Marine Mind, the situation is "absolutely horrible." Although the individual was in good condition on Friday, the cause of the current situation remains unknown."

According to the Telegraph, conservation groups NOAH and One Whale have filed police reports alleging that Hvaldimir, who may have died of natural causes, was shot.

An autopsy will be performed on Hvaldimir to determine the cause of his death in the near future, as stated by the Oceanic Preservation Society.

The organization expressed its deep sadness and devastation over the news of the whale's death, stating that humanity's failure to protect this beloved creature has left them heartbroken.

Hvaldimir was praised by Nonprofit Marine Mind on Facebook for bridging the gap between humans and wild animals in a way that few can.

"Hvaldimir was not just a beluga whale; he was a beacon of hope, a symbol of connection, and a reminder of the deep bond between humans and the natural world," the organization said. "Over the past five years, he touched the lives of tens of thousands, bringing people together in awe of the wonders of nature. His presence taught us about the importance of ocean conservation, and in doing so, he also taught us more about ourselves."

Reuters and the Associated Press contributed to this report.