Thor the walrus spotted in Iceland after leaving UK

Thor the wandering walrus has arrived in Iceland after a temporary stop in the UK.

The giant mammal had last been seen stretching in Blyth harbour, Northumberland, during a break following his epic 3,000-mile journey.

A spokesperson for the British Divers Marine Life Rescue confirmed that he was spotted in Breiðdalsvík in Iceland on Friday.

British Divers Marine Life Rescue said it could confirm from markings that it was Thor.

"After Thor’s visit to the UK we wondered if we would ever see him again," a spokesman said.

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

Thor became an internet sensation and attracted huge crowds during his UK tour. However, his whereabouts has been largely unknown since he dived into the North Sea and swam away in January.

The half-tonne marine animal is thought to be about eight years old.

He left his home waters of the Arctic Circle late last year and may have travelled as far as Canada before being spotted in Zeeland, in the south-east corner of the Netherlands, on November 6.

He pulled in at Dieppe, Normandy, France, on November 19 and Calshot beach, Hampshire, in early December, before spending New Year’s Eve in Scarborough, North Yorks.

Celebratory fireworks in the town were cancelled so the massive creature would not be alarmed by the noise. He then swam a further 100 miles to Blyth.

Walruses are becoming increasingly common in European waters.

Experts believe a loss of sea ice - which they use to rest upon - caused by climate change may be to blame.

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