Over 3000 ravens hunted annually in Iceland
Most ravens are killed on or around rubbish tips, or around the nesting areas of Eider ducks. Asked whether the raven is in danger of extinction, Skarphéðinsson replied, "Stocks have diminished steadily in the last few decades and if things continue this way it's likely that ravens will almost disappear within the next few decades."
The raven is a bird closely linked to Icelandic history, folklore and mythology. The chief of the pagan gods in the Ásatrú religion, Óðinn, was always accompanied by two ravens, Huginn and Muninn who would fly around the world to bring him news.