The wandering walrus is back on its travels
AN Arctic Walrus spotted in Northumberland just last month has been sighted on the coast of the Shetland Islands.
The beautiful wandering walrus which has been named Freya, was photographed sleeping on the rocks at Seahouses on November 14, but has since moved further north east being spotted off the coast of West Mainland at the weekend.
The huge creature is believed to be native to the east coast of Greenland or Svalbard, meaning it is hundreds of miles from its natural habitat.
Freya is believed to have been discovered once more last Friday reportedly spotted fast asleep on a salmon cage just off Vementry.
And it’s not the first time the magnificent specimen has been caught sleeping in unusual places - snoozing on some rocks just off the Northumberland coast last month, and before that allegedly spending three days on the deck of Dutch submarine HNLMS Dolfijn.
It is believed that Freya initially swam down from the Arctic, passing by Denmark and Germany, before arriving in the Netherlands.
She is then believed to have swum across the North Sea to the coast of Northumberland, before swimming back up towards the Shetland Islands - where she has been spotted once more.
Lucky passers-by spotted her while walking round the headland at Aithsness, and were able to get close views of the creature with the help of a local boat-owner.
And locals were overjoyed to see the walrus in all of her beauty.
Facebook page Shetland Wildlife, said: “Freya - the WALRUS first seen in Germany, The Netherlands and Northumberland - spending her second day hauled out at Vementry.
“As well as the tusk dimensions and shape, the little pink spot on her nostril is diagnostic.
“What a wonderful experience to see her.”
One social media user also wrote: “Freya the well-travelled walrus resting today on a salmon cage at Vementry. Such a privilege to see her,” while another commented: “What a wonderful experience to see her.”
In the North East, officials urged the general public to keep their distance of the animal thought to weigh up to three quarters of a tonne, allowing it to rest up in an unknown setting before venturing off once again.
Tynemouth Seal Hospital last month said: “We are aware of the reports of a walrus in the local area, and would urge people to please give it as much space and rest as possible. “This animal is out of its normal area and will need to rest and build its strength back up.