My, YOU’RE a big boy! Female walrus has taken to cuddling up to a Walrus-class SUBMARINE in Dutch port
- Freya the walrus has taken refuge aboard the Walrus-class submarine HNLMS Dolfijn in the Den Helder port
- The Arctic Walrus was found sleeping on the vessel last week but has been returning day after day
- Freya is the first of her species to be spotted in the Netherlands in 23 years and has delighted Dutch navy
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A female walrus has clambered aboard an aptly-named Walrus-class submarine where it has taken refuge in a Dutch port to the delight of the Netherlands Navy.
The Arctic walrus, who has been named Freya, was found snoozing on the vessel in Den Helder last week.
She has since returned to the submarine most days to take a breather from her fishing expeditions after boldly venturing south on her European jaunt, passing Denmark and Germany on her travels.
A female walrus has clambered aboard a Walrus-class submarine where it has taken refuge in a Dutch port
Jeroen Hoekendijk, a Dutch scientist who specialises in marine mammals, discovered Freya last week
Freya is the first of her species to be spotted in the Netherlands in 23 years with the animals normally seen hundreds of miles north.
It comes after Wally the wandering walrus captured the imagination of wildlife lovers with his European travels this summer, which included stops in France, Spain and the Isles of Scilly before he was last spotted in Iceland.
Jeroen Hoekendijk, a Dutch scientist who specialises in marine mammals, discovered Freya last week and said she appears to be in good health, despite a raw wound in her front flippers.
She is regularly seen bathing and sleeping on the back deck of HNLMS Dolfijn.
The Arctic Walrus, who has been named Freya, was found sleeping on the Netherlands Navy vessel in Den Helder last week
She has since returned most days to relax on the submarine, much to the amusement of the navy
She is regularly seen bathing and sleeping on the back deck of HNLMS Dolfijn
Freya has frequently disappeared for a swim only to return to lounge on the submarine days later
It is thought Freya may have been in Dutch waters for two months after a number of sightings and experts believe she got lost while looking for food.
The Arctic walrus has small tusks so is considered to be younger.
The Royal Netherlands Navy Submarine Service shared the news, saying: ‘Look who surprised us with a visit.
‘Welcome on board shipmate!’
Freya has frequently disappeared for a swim only to return to lounge on the submarine days later.
The navy has been updating keen followers about Freya’s movements on their social media pages.
The walrus is often seen sleeping and enjoying a well-earned rest aboard the vessel
Marine chaplain Fred Omvlee shared a selfie with the animal sleeping next to a Dutch flag on the submarine
The walrus is often seen sleeping and enjoying a well-earned rest aboard the vessel.
HNLMS Dolfijn entered service in 1993 in the Dutch Navy’s Walrus-class, alongside HNLMS Walrus and HNLMS Zeeleeuw.
The RNSS said: ‘Wondering if Freya thinks it’s such a beautiful spot when there’s constant staff and boarding.’
It’s thought she paddled down from her regular Arctic circle haunt, travelling via Denmark and Germany to reach the coast of Holland.
Wally started its European tour in March this year and was often seen hauling his 800kg body on to a boat for a snooze.
It comes after Wally the wandering walrus captured the imagination of wildlife lovers with his European travels this summer
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