Originally discovered in Finnmark, Norway’s far northern region, the whale has been gradually making its way down the country’s coastline for over three years.

However, in recent months, it has picked up speed and ventured into Sweden, France 24 reported.

The unexpected acceleration has puzzled marine biologist Sebastian Strand from the OneWhale organization, who speculates that the whale may be driven by hormones in search of a mate or the companionship of other Beluga whales, known for their sociable nature.

Estimated to be around 13-14 years old, the whale is currently in an age range where hormone levels are high.

Despite its prolonged journey, the Beluga, nicknamed “Hvaldimir” by Norwegians, has not encountered any other members of its species since arriving in Norway in April 2019.

The nearest population of Belugas is located in the Svalbard archipelago, far north of its current location.

When the whale initially appeared in Norway’s Arctic, it was wearing a harness with indications that it might have been trained or used for surveillance purposes.

Although the Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries removed the harness, speculation arose about the whale’s potential connection to Russia due to the equipment’s origins.

Nevertheless, no official reaction was received from Moscow regarding the “Russian spy” theory.

The Barents Sea, where the whale has been spotted, is a region of strategic importance, as it is monitored for submarine movements by both Western countries and Russia.

The area also serves as a crucial gateway for the Northern Route, which shortens maritime journeys between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

While Hvaldimir’s health has been relatively good in recent years, as observed by the OneWhale organization, there are concerns about its ability to find sufficient food in Sweden.

The organization has already noticed some weight loss in the whale.

Beluga whales typically inhabit the icy waters around Greenland, northern Norway, and Russia, reaching sizes of up to six meters (20 feet) and living between 40 and 60 years.

Written by staff