Brit sensation Thor the wandering walrus spotted in Iceland after leaving UK

26 February 2023 , 10:09

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Thor the wandering Walrus who has resurfaced in Iceland nearly two months after he was last spotted in the UK (Image: Elis Petur / SWNS)

Thor the wandering Walrus has resurfaced in Iceland nearly two months after he was last spotted in the UK.

Ellis Elisson, 41, was supervising one of his fishing boats at a harbour in Breiddalsvik when he saw Thor lying on a floating dock on Friday morning.

At first, he and his colleagues were cautious, and the group observed from afar.

They gradually moved closer after realising the marine mammal was just resting, and there was nothing to be afraid of as long at they kept their distance

Ellis, from a fisherman from the east coast of Iceland, said: "We looked over and he was just chilling there.

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The walrus during one of his pit stops in Scarborough (ugc)

A fisherman found Thor resting on a dock this morning (ugc)

"He was there all day resting, and we've been over a few times and he hasn't moved at all.

"The weather has been really good so we thought he has travelled a long way and now he is sunbathing.

"I took some photos from a few meters away, but if anyone tried to get any closer than that, he wouldn't like it."

Ellis then took some photographs of the walrus to send to a local news site.

Ellis Elisson, 41, made sure to keep his distance while approaching the monster mammal (PA)

The site published his photos along with an article, which was quickly shared and reposted online.

The news piece reached the UK, and the Director of Welfare and Conservation at the British Divers Marine Life Rescue recognised the walrus.

He matched the pale patches on his fore flippers to that of Thor's, the famous wandering walrus who migrated to the UK last year.

A director at the British Divers Marine Life Rescue identified Thor by some of his markings (PA)

Thor was last seen in Northumberland on January 2, so the news he had resurfaced brought joy to the marine charity.

Taking to Facebook, British Divers Marine Life Rescue, said: "After Thor's visit to the UK we wondered if we would ever see him again.

"We are delighted to have been informed that he is in Iceland!!

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Thor was last seen in Northumberland on January 2 (Steven Lomas / SWNS)

"Our Director of Welfare and Conservation matched the pale patches on his fore flippers.

We are absolutely delighted by this news and know many of you will be too!"

Ellis added: "I had no idea that this was the walrus that has famously been all over the world.

"After the site posted the article people started to speculate, and now I know for sure that it was him.

"He was alive and well, and I'll be interested to see where he pops up next!"

Ryan Fahey