On the Torellneset peninsula, we were introduced to a colony of walruses, an uneasy but very social animal that can be found all year round in Svalbard.
After a stunning zodiac tour along the Negribreen Glacier and the panoramic sailing through the narrow of Heleysundet, yet another landing was scheduled today. On Nordaustlandet, the third largest island of Svalbard, we would go ashore with the Zodiac boats to see a colony of walruses. Nordaustlandet is separated from Spitsbergen by the Hinlopen Strait. Probably named after another Dutchman, Tymen Jacobsz Hinlopen, one of the leaders of the Noordsche Compagnie, the Dutch whaling cartel.
on the Vessel Finder app.
The trip to the landing site at Torellneset once again provided us with beautiful views. The inhospitable landscape of Svalbard continues to fascinate us. Each time the light is different and we are surprised by snow-covered hills, a glacier, or a large flock of birds flying by. I am amazed at how many birds can be found on Svalbard in the summer. Our bird expert on the expedition team could name them all.
Walruses
We went ashore on the Torellneset, a point of land on the south-western side of the Nordaustlandet, where a large colony of walruses can be found.
The walrus is one of Svalbard’s year-round inhabitants. They like to rest on ice floes, but in the warmer months you may find walrus colonies on beaches or small islands. Walruses are very social animals and are always very close to each other, which results in a lot of bickering and pushing and shoving.
Walruses are very picky about where they want to rest, and once they find a good spot, they tend to stay there for a long time. Cruise ship expedition teams know this too, so they are popular places to go ashore and get a closer look at these giants, but always at an appropriate distance so as not to disturb the animals.
An adult male is approximately 3.5 meters in length and weighs approximately 1,500 kilograms, while females grow to be approximately 2.5 meters in length and can weigh up to 900 kilograms. They are much faster in the water than on land and can be aggressive, even attacking boats. A rubber Zodiac boat will not be able to withstand an attack by a walrus with its tusks. As we went back to the ship after landing, we spotted a walrus in the water not far from us. Our skipper stepped on the gas and made sure we stayed away from him.
When we landed, we were instructed to be quiet and to stay at a certain distance from the animals. There were a few walruses in the water keeping a close eye on us. Up ahead, the colony was resting and bickering. It seemed as if a wave was passing through the colony each time, and they never lay still for a long time.
They made a variety of unpleasant noises, most of which sounded like growling or barking.
