About three weeks ago, an Arctic walrus was spotted by a five-year-old girl and her father on an Irish beach. One marine biologist said that the animal may have been napping on an iceberg that drifted to the beach, Live Science previously reported.
"I'd say what happened is, he fell asleep on an iceberg and drifted off, and then he was gone too far, out into the mid-Atlantic or somewhere like that, down off Greenland possibly," Dingle Oceanworld Aquarium marine biologist Kevin Flannery said.
The Arctic walrus, named Wally, has since become a tourist attraction and people said that he had continued his antics by hitchhiking on passing ships and falling asleep on a slipway intended for lifeboats.
Exhausted Arctic walrus turns up in Ireland Screenshot from YouTube/RTE News
Wally the Arctic Walrus Spotted 280 Miles South From Original Sighting
Wally, who was first found in Ireland, is taking a long journey back home. Now, he is spotted 280 miles farther south from County Kerry to Pembrokeshire, Wales. According to Live Science, the marine mammal managed to reach its current destination in just six days
A conservation group was able to identify him as the same walrus that has been stirring up mischief on Irish shores by hitching rides on passing ships. According to witnesses, the walrus attempted to ride on a dinghy, a small boat used as a lifeboat, but it ended up capsizing.
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Conservation Groups Warn People to Stay Away From the Arctic Walrus
Conservation groups are concerned about Wally as more people came to the beach to see the rare sighting of the Arctic walrus on the beach, and even Jet Ski riders, surfers, and paddleboarders are reported to have been disturbing the animal by getting close to it.
A joint statement from marine conservation groups has warned tourists not to get close to Wally as he is protected by the 1981 Wildlife and Countryside Act.
"We understand it's exciting and unusual to have the walrus take up a temporary residence in Tenby, and that over the bank holiday weekend, many people may wish to visit the area in the hope of catching a glimpse of him," Pembrokeshire Coast officials said.
He added that it is in Wally's best interests that he is left alone as much as possible as long as he is temporarily staying in the area, The Weather Network reported. Therefore, they ask tourists to remember that the Arctic walrus is a wild animal and that they should avoid temptations of getting near to him and disturb the marine mammal.
Pembrokeshire Coast specifically gives that warning to water recreationists who are reportedly disturbing Wally. They said that they are extremely concerned about reports that some tried to get close to the marine mammal using jet skis or paddle and surfboards. Once again, they remind people to act responsibly.
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