Norwegian fishermen find beluga whale ‘trained by Russian military’

Officials in Norway have launched an investigation after a beluga whale was found wearing a tight harness, prompting speculation the animal may have escaped from a Russian military facility.

The Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries said “Equipment St Petersburg” was written on the harness strap, which featured a mount for an action camera.

Spokesman Joergen Ree Wiig said fishermen in Arctic Norway reported seeing the tame white cetacean with a tight harness swimming around last week.

The whale approaches the fishermen, one of whom jumps in the water to remove the harness. Credit: Jorgen Ree Wiig/Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries Sea Surveillance Service

On Friday, a fisherman jumped into the water to remove the harness.

Norway’s Aftenposten newspaper reported the Russian military is believed to have trained sea mammals.

The whale was first spotted in Arctic Norway last week. Credit: Jorgen Ree Wiig/Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries Sea Surveillance Service