A vagrant walrus (Odobenus rosmarus) in Finland

In July 2022, a vagrant female Atlantic walrus (Odobenus rosmarus) seen was on the south of the coast of Finland. The same individual, which was called 'Stena' in the international press, had been previously observed in the waters of several other European countries along the North and Baltic Seas. By the time the animal reached Finnish waters it was in poor condition and did not survive a rescue attempt. Post-mortem investigation revealed that the animal was malnourished and its digestive tract was almost empty, but trace amounts of DNA from bivalves and other aquatic invertebrates could be recovered. Amortized from minor age-related ailment and superficial skin wounds, the walrus showed no signs of illness or injuries. Dental wear suggested that the animal was at least 20 years old. Its body and cranial measurements, including tusk length, were well the average size for a female Atlantic walrus. Mitochondrial DNA supported its origin in the eastern Barents Sea populations. The sample was mounted and put on display in the Natural History Museum, Helsinki. This is the first confirmed free-ranging walrus observation in the northern part of the Baltic Sea and Finland