Final autopsy report on Hvaldimir reveals bacterial infection as cause of death in Tananger, Norway

The final autopsy report from the Norwegian Veterinary Institute is now available. Amund Preede Revheim, head of the North Sea and Environmental Section at the Sør-Vest police district, stated that the examination was complicated due to the significant decomposition of the whale’s organs. The report indicates that the probable cause of death was a bacterial infection, likely linked to an injury in the mouth caused by a stick lodged inside.

The investigation was prompted by images of injuries on the deceased whale, named Hvaldimir, which was found dead on August 31 near Tananger in Rogaland. The whale exhibited several holes in its body, leading organizations such as OneWhale and Noah to suggest it may have been shot. However, an initial autopsy indicated no evidence of gunshot wounds, a conclusion reaffirmed in the final report.

Observations revealed several superficial wounds around the whale’s body, attributed to birds pecking at its skin, with one wound penetrating through layers of blubber but not affecting vital organs. Radiological examinations showed no projectiles or metal fragments.

Marine biologist Sebastian Strand expressed relief that the extensive investigation yielded conclusive results and noted that Hvaldimir’s story inspired ongoing marine education efforts.

Notably, a 35-centimeter long stick was found lodged in the whale’s mouth, and while the stomach was empty, there was no evidence to suggest that human activity was directly responsible for the whale’s death. Observations indicated that such wounds are not uncommon on deceased whales, often resulting from bird activity or parasitic interactions, particularly when gas buildup during decomposition leads to sudden pressure changes that can cause small wounds to rupture.