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Chronicle Live
Chronicle Live
National
Daniel Hall

Arctic walrus who visited Northumberland spotted again - this time in Denmark

For most people, dipping a toe into the North Sea in the winter months is enough to bring them out in goose bumps.

However, for a creature covered in blubber, the icy waters are no problem - as demonstrated by a recent visitor to the region.

An Arctic Walrus named Freya caused a stir back in November 2021 when she was spotted sleeping on the rocks in Seahouses, having crossed the North Sea to get there.

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And after a stop in the Shetland Islands, she has returned back across the North Sea on her way back towards the Arctic, via the west coast of Denmark.

Freya the walrus resting on a rock in Seahouses last November (Owen Humphreys/PA Wire)

She has been spotted swimming in the harbour and has also visited Hvide Sande, around 45km south of the harbour. This one is thought to be the same walrus due to a distinctive mark on its nose.

Denmark is just the latest leg in a long journey for Freya, where she swam around the harbour pool of Thorsminde and came quite close to locals.

Arctic walruses are usually found much further north, living in the likes of Svalbard, Greenland and north eastern Canada.

Before arriving in Northumberland, Freya's is thought to have stopped off in Denmark, Germany and the Netherlands.

Pernille Mia Bek, a former biologist, took the most recent photographs of Freya and shared them on Facebook. She said: "There were a couple of walruses spotted last year in Denmark but before that, none were seen for 10 years.

"The walrus visited Hvide Sande from January 25 - 28 this year and has been seen in Thorsminde Harbour since February 3."

Freya the walrus in Thorsminde Harbour on the West Coast of Denmark (Pernille Mia Bek)

Fans of Freya will be pleased to know that she seems to be in good health. Pernille continued: "The walrus seemed very curious and relaxed. Looked like it was looking for a good place to rest.

"It swam towards us a couple of times and was only a few metres away.

"It was a really great experience because it was so active!

"I was lucky to see her. A lot of people arrived later on and did not!"

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