Dead walrus found far inland in Tana threatens drinking water

A walrus that attracted attention after travelling far inland in Tana has been found dead, Dagbladet reports, citing iFinnmark. The animal was discovered far from the sea and in steep, difficult terrain.

For several weeks, the walrus had been seen along county road 98 in Vestertana, in Tana municipality in Finnmark. Fire chief Inge Halonen and Frank Martin Ingilæ, Tana municipality’s head of infrastructure, went to inspect the unusual visitor.

The walrus was missing half of one tusk, prompting Ingilæ to jokingly suggest the name “Halvdan”. It had spent time in a roadside ditch and appeared to be in good condition.

A tipster later noticed unusual tracks in the terrain, which led to the dead animal. It must now be removed because it is lying near a drinking water source that is at risk of contamination.

Ingilæ is asking people to stay away from the area.

“We would prefer not to have people making a walrus pilgrimage into that area,” he told iFinnmark.