Wally rules the waves: Gallivanting walrus looks to be skippering a luxury motorboat after clambering aboard in latest sighting off West Cork coast

• Wally the Walrus appeared to be ‘steering’ a luxury motorboat after clambering aboard off West Cork  
• Lonely walrus has been on a 4,000km solo trip for months and spent more than six weeks off Cornwall
• Wally is believed to be from Svalbard and to have travelled by himself between Wales, England and France

Wally the Walrus appeared to be ‘steering’ a luxury motorboat after clambering aboard off the coast of West Cork in Ireland in the latest sighting of the gallivanting sea beast.  

The marauding mammal, who has been on a 4,000km solo trip for months and recently spent more than six weeks off Cornwall, was filmed by passersby appearing to drive a boat along the Irish coast. 

Wally is believed to be from Svalbard, north of Norway, and to have travelled by himself between Wales, England and France. But the wandering walrus is has now made a home for himself off the Irish coast.

And recent footage shows Wally seemingly cruising along the coast on a luxury motorboat, belonging to Clonakilty Distillery in West Cork. Posting the video online, the distillery said: ‘One of our team had an unexpected Arctic visitor on their boat this evening.

‘Wally the walrus spotted in Clonakilty today… We reckon he must have stopped by on his travels for a refreshing Minke G&T.’

Wally the Walrus appeared to be ‘steering’ a luxury motorboat after clambering aboard off the coast of West Cork in Ireland in the latest sighting of the gallivanting sea beast

The lonely walrus, who has been on a 4,000km solo trip for months and recently spent more than six weeks off Cornwall, was filmed by passersby appearing to drive a boat along the Irish coast

Wally is believed to be from Svalbard, north of Norway, and to have travelled by himself between Wales, England and France. But the wandering walrus is has now made a home for himself off the Irish coast

The boat is ordinarily used to forage for rock samphire, a botanical used in gin production.

The large sea mammal, thought to be around four years old, has reportedly sunk one small boat and damaged several others on his visit to Cork. 

Animal welfare groups believe it initially came across the North Atlantic ocean from Greenland on an ice floe. It was first seen in Ireland before taking up residence in Tenby, Pembrokeshire in March.

Seal Rescue Ireland has now launched an appeal for a pontoon or other floating platform for Wally to use as a ‘safe, designated haul-out site’ for him to rest on undisturbed.

The charity said: ‘We are looking for a pontoon/floating platform as a safe haul-out site for the Walrus, so that he can be effectively monitored, protected from disturbance, and damage to property prevented.

The large sea mammal, thought to be around four years old, has reportedly sunk one small boat and damaged several others on his visit to Cork

Recent footage shows Wally seemingly cruising along the coast on a luxury motorboat, belonging to Clonakilty Distillery in West Cork

‘As a Pinniped (like seals and sea lions), Walruses are semi-aquatic, which means they must come up on land (or a floating object) to rest. This also means that they are more vulnerable to human disturbances.

‘If you are lucky enough to spot the walrus, we ask that you please avoid approaching him within 100m (this includes boats, kayaks, swimming or on foot). This is a sensitive species that is easily disturbed and he must be able to rest.

‘Please resist the urge to share his exact location publicly until there is a system in place for him to be monitored throughout the day, with a safe, designated haul-out site for him to rest on undisturbed.’

Such a pontoon would be similar to one built for the walrus during his time on the Isles of Scilly.

The BDMLR and St Mary’s Harbour Authority constructed a specific customised pontoon replicating his apparent need for physical contact.

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