Why the Beluga Fetching a Rugby Ball Was Not What It Seemed

Sometimes we come across video clips that are not what they first appear to be. This YouTube clip of a beluga whale playing with a rugby ball is one such video. In the viral clip (it has been watched over 20 million times), the beluga fetches the ball and returns it to some people in a boat, seemingly requesting them to throw it again. However, we have dug deeper into the provenance of this clip and discovered the reality of what is going on here.

Belugas Are Clever Animals

Beluga whales belong to the Cetacea order, which contains dolphins, porpoises, and whales. They are closely related to narwhals, and there is some debate about whether they should be categorized as whales or dolphins. Their range stretches throughout the Arctic and sub-Arctic waters. They resemble dolphins but lack a dorsal fin and have a flexible ‘melon’ on top of their head, which is used for echolocation.

There is no doubt that these are intelligent animals. The beluga brain is just under twice the size of a human brain and has more folds in the neocortex. This is the part that’s connected with problem-solving and thinking. We also know that these animals are social and are commonly found in groups of up to 10 individuals. They have a sophisticated communication system and have a wide repertoire of sounds that includes clicks, chirps, and whistles. Their relatives, the dolphins, often seek out human company and frequently swim alongside and behind boats. While there are many records of wild animals playing with balls, retrieving one and returning it to a human is different. This behavior is taught and does not occur naturally.

The True Story

The beluga in the clip is called Hvaldimir, and he was first spotted by fishermen off the coast of Norway in 2019. Suspicions were immediately aroused about his behavior and how comfortable he was with human company. However, his status was confirmed when they saw that he was wearing a GoPro camera with ‘Equipment of St Petersburg’ printed on it. The same beluga was also allegedly spotted retrieving a woman’s phone after she dropped it from a boat.

During the Soviet era, belugas were trained in military establishments; it is believed that Hvaldimir was either released or escaped from such a program. Belugas have also been captured to perform in aquariums and zoos, and their abilities have been utilized by the US Navy as well.

Sadly, this story does not have a happy ending. The Reuters news agency reported in September 2024 that Hvaldimir’s body was spotted floating off the coast of southern Norway. Norwegian police stated that Hvaldimir’s death was not caused by humans. The final autopsy report concluded that the probable cause of death was a bacterial infection, possibly resulting from wounds in his mouth caused by a stick lodged there.

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