A well known walrus appears to have set up home on a motorboat on the coast of Ireland.
Dubbed ‘Wally’ by fans, the walrus is thought to have travelled from the Norwegian island of Svalbard in the Arctic ocean. The Walrus would have swum a distance of more than 3000 kilometres. Wally has also been spotted in France, England and Wales.
You might need a bigger boat, Wally. Image by Clonakilty Distillery
Wally reappeared in Co Waterford a week ago, where he decided to take a long break on a boat belonging to Clonakilty Distillery in West Cork.
According to Sky News, the large mammal has reportedly sunk one small boat already and damaged several others on his visit to Cork. Clonakilty Distillery spokesperson, Adam Collins, said the company “agreed to allow Wally to use the boat for as long as needs be and not move it until a more permanent solution can be found”.
Image by Clonakilty Distillery
A well deserved rest after 3000km. Image by Clonakilty Distillery
Walrus need to rest on land at times during their aquatic journeys, and clearly Wally is no different. Seal Rescue Ireland launched an appeal for a pontoon or other floating platform for Wally to use as a “safe haul-out site, so that he can be effectively monitored, protected from disturbance and damage to property prevented”.
