This tale revolves around a beluga dolphin named Hvaldimir and a fisherman named Joar Hesten. Their fateful encounter occurred when Joar, a former whaler, plunged into the frigid Arctic waters to liberate Hvaldimir from a restrictive harness, altering the course of their lives forever.
As news of this enigmatic white creature’s presence in the Arctic waters near Norway, adjacent to Russia, spread, it attracted the attention of American activists, caught the eye of Hollywood, and drew financial support from Saudi sources. Soon, this amiable beluga whale ascended to Instagram stardom.
After the commotion subsided, Joar headed back home down south, and Hvaldimir did the same. In the summer of 2020, he reappeared in the fjord near Joar’s residence. Throughout that summer and autumn, the ex-whaler regularly visited the whale, caring for it, and engaged in discussions with irked fish farmers on the most effective ways to protect it.
