The walrus is a species more commonly found in the Arctic, yet over the last few months one dubbed Wally the Walrus by the media has been popping up in many unexpected places in the waters around the UK and Europe. Wally has been getting up to all kinds of amusing antics capturing the hearts and imagination of those lucky enough to encounter him.
Wally’s adventure has included stops in Ireland, Tendy in Pembrokeshire, Wales, Cornwall, Les Sables d’Olonne and Saint Gilles Croix de Ville in France, Bilbao in Spain and now the Isles of Scilly. At Porthcressa in the Isles of Scilly, Wally was seen playing with the yachts and seemed happy and healthy. A number of rubber dinghies were burst by the walrus as it roamed around boats moored of the beach and tried to get on board.
Rafe Ward from Calypso Boating Scilly couldn’t believe his eyes when he witnessed the walrus trying to hitch a lift. Rafe believed Wally was probably a bit tired and wanted to have a rest.
The Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust stated that, “The animal’s movements are being monitored by a number of conservation and welfare organisations to keep an eye on his health, although he seems to be coping well out of his regular habitat and seen to be feeding regularly. It’s hoped he’s now finally returning north and will get back to his native home in the Arctic circle again soon.
But why has Wally’s travelled over 2,000 miles south of the Arctic circle to entertain us with his antics? In The Earth Emperor’s Eye, the character, Ben Whittenbury is a huge fan of The Beatles Indeed, the titles of all of the iconic band’s major hits are embedded within the tale, including, ‘I Am The Walrus’. Perhaps Wally’s wacky adventures are a tribute to the band and their role in the story.