Natasja Bellis from Petten was the first to see the walrus bobbing in the surf off the coast between Bergen and Petten. She works at the Sea Aquarium in Bergen and was driving home along the beach with her husband Dennis when she saw a large thing floating in the sea. She had the presence of mind to jump out of the car and start filming. She made spectacular images of an animal that is rarely seen in the North Sea.
“The first thing I thought was: filming, if there is only a glimpse, then at least I have proof that I have seen it,” says Natasja on the beach. When she returned home, she immediately officially reported the walrus.
The Pieterburen Seal Center that was informed calls on anyone who sees the walrus to leave it alone. You are also asked to report every sighting to Ecomare, the Seal Center or the Sea Aquarium in Bergen.
Thor’s real name is Kees
Natasja is still enthusiastic when she talks about her special find this weekend. “I’ve traveled a lot around the world and seen a lot of wildlife, but this was my first walrus,” says Natasja proudly.
However, she is a bit surprised about the name that the walrus was given in the media: Thor. According to Natasja, she and her daughter came up with the name Kees for the animal shortly after the discovery. According to Natasja, Kees alias Thor made a healthy and lively impression. She saw the animal swim back to the open sea under its own power. “I just hope he finds his way into familiar territory, at least he won’t be hungry because there is plenty of fish off the coast of the North Sea,” said Natasja.