From Iceland — Whale Carcass Spotted At Reykjavik Harbour, Will Be Left To Rot

Whale Carcass Spotted At Reykjavik Harbour, Will Be Left To Rot

Published August 27, 2018

Andie Sophia Fontaine
Photo by
Lóa Hjálmtýsdóttir

There is currently a carcass of a whale, possibly a bottle-nosed variety, floating in the water next to the famed Sólfar sculpture by Reykjavík harbour. It will not be removed from the location, but will be left where it is for nature to reclaim it.

Sólfar is a very popular spot for tourists, as it’s a great location for taking selfies with the majestic Mount Esja in the background. This morning, visitors were treated to the addition of a rotting whale carcass floating in the water nearby.

Fréttablaðið reports that the whale in question is likely one of the bottle-nosed whales that was spotted trapped near Engey last August 16. Two were trapped in the area at that time, but efforts to free one of them were successful.

Police told reporters that the carcass will not be removed from the water, due to the advanced state of decomposition it is in. Instead, time and the tide will have to suffice for the reclaiming of the whale.

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