A fanged walrus that was spotted off an Irish island coast on Sunday may have arrived after falling asleep on an iceberg in the Arctic, a marine biologist said.
Kevin Flannery, the director of the Oceanworld Aquarium in Dingle, Co. Kerry, told the Independent Irish the animal may have been carried across the Atlantic Ocean before reaching the rocks of Valentia Island.
“I would say that what happened is that he fell asleep on an iceberg and fell asleep and then went too far, in the middle of the Atlantic or somewhere similar to Greenland, possibly,” he said. “This is usually what happens … they fall asleep on an iceberg and are carried out of the Arctic.”
In a Facebook comment, the aquarium said the iceberg may have melted from the Greenland ice shelf, leaving the walrus in the Gulf Stream.
Walrus images were captured by Valentia Island resident Alan Houlihan, who said his 5-year-old daughter first spotted the animal on the coast as they walked along Glanleam Beach on Sunday.
Houlihan said: “At first I thought it was a seal and then we saw the prey. It kind of jumped on the rocks. It was huge. It was about the size of a bull or a cow, very similar in size, it is big and big. “
One video showed the walrus advancing on the rocks, and another showed it on its side while placing one of its fins over its eyes.
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The Irish Whale and Dolphin Group, a conservation organization, said on Facebook that Houlihan estimated the walrus to be at least 6.5 feet long.
He said: “Given the size … and the presence of prey, we can say with some confidence that it is a young adult specimen, but it is not possible to determine the sex, as both males and females have prey.”
According to the group, previous sightings of walruses occurred on April 3, 1999 near Clew Bay, in Mayo County, and on October 5, 2004, at the same location.
He said a walrus was photographed off the Danish coast in February and comparisons of images “leave the possibility open” that it is the same animal.
The Irish Whale and Dolphin Group advised: “We would like to ask members of the public fortunate enough to see you observe this rebel traveler from a safe distance and give you the space you need.”
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While the walrus’ health was unclear, the Oceanworld Aquarium also said on Facebook that sighting was rare in the region.
He said: “Their normal range is much further north, around northern Russia and Greenland. This would not be the first time that a rebel walrus has been found venturing further south [but] this is a very, very rare occasion. “
Flannery said the audience should make space, adding, “He’s sleeping. I’m asking people to let him rest until he comes back.
“I would say that he came from the Atlantic. It is thousands of kilometers away. If he regains his strength, I hope he will rise again.”
An additional video of the walrus was posted on social media on the last day. A recent Facebook update suggests that the animal has now moved from its original position on the coast.
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WWF, a global conservation organization, says on its website that the walrus species is a “key species in Arctic marine ecosystems”.
“Walruses migrate with the ice floes in motion, but never venture far from the coast, as they feed in shallow water,” says the document. “They can swim to a depth of about 100 m (328 feet) to feed on mollusks and other invertebrates, but on average they don’t go much deeper than 20-30 m (66-98 feet).”
Alan O Sullivan