Søraust-Svalbard Nature Reserve

East of Spitsbergen are two large islands called Barentsøya and Edgeøya. The area has a rich wildlife, especially when it comes to polar bears, reindeer, walrus, seabirds and geese. In the west of Edgeøya there are cultural remains from European whaling. Edgeøya and Tusenøyane were the main area for Russian overwintering hunting between 1700 and 1850. Traces of Norwegian overwintering hunting as well as newer scientific research can also be found. The area has been a nature reserve since 1973.

Slaughter site for walrus on Spekkholmen south of Delitschøya. (Image: Kit Kovacs / Christian Lydersen / Norwegian Polar Institute)