Is Wally the wandering walrus finally heading home after covering more than 4,000km during his European jaunt - after being seen back in Ireland today (August 2).
Wally was first spotted off Kerry in Ireland, on March 14, after it is believed he may have fallen asleep on an iceberg off Greenland which drifted to Valentia Island.
By late May Wally continued to track south to France, before eventually returning to the UK, arriving in the Isles of Scilly on June 17, where he caused a bit of mischief for boat owners, in trying to rest up on their vessels, before a special floating purpose-built pontoon was created for him to relax on with his scent to attract him away from boats and other areas.
Now, after more than six weeks in the idyllic islands off Cornwall, the Arctic visitor appears to have popped up in Ireland again, in the area of Clonea located near Dungarvan in County Waterford.
Posting on social media on Monday (August 2), wildlife sanctuary Seal Rescue Ireland stated: “The Walrus is back in Irish waters! The young, male Atlantic Walrus, who was originally sighted on Valentia Island, Co. Kerry last March, has returned to Irish waters after completing the European leg of his tour.
“We are working with a number of wildlife organisations who have been monitoring his movements since he was first spotted last March, to minimise the risk of stress/injury and in hopes that he will make his way back to his native northern waters.
“As sea ice melts due to climate change, Arctic species, such as walruses, are losing habitat and may be forced to explore new areas.
“This isn’t the first Arctic visitor Ireland has received in recent years (like Cloudberry the Ringed Seal), and he likely won’t be the last.”
The wildlife sanctuary has reiterated to anyone who may encounter the walrus not approach him as he is a protected species; and to observe him quietly from a minimum of 300m.
“Remember that this is a very sensitive species, and he’s a very long way from his Arctic home,” they added.