Walrus basks in Orkney attention

[formercia]

3 March 2013 Last updated at 09:19 ET



The creature was said to be enjoying the attention it was receiving


A walrus has turned up on a small Scottish island in what has been described as a "once in a lifetime" event.

The animal, thought to be a young male, was spotted on the shoreline of North Ronaldsay in Orkney.

It appeared to be in good health and happy to be the centre of attention.

Wildlife experts said it was extremely unusual for a walrus to be spotted so far south of the North Pole and Arctic Ocean.

--snip--

Another symptom of Global Warming. The Ice they normally congregate on is disappearing, forcing them to find places to come ashore.

[longship]

1. They are awesome animals!

Thanks for posting.

[Helen Reddy]

2. What a ham!

[Faygo Kid]

3. Chumley!

or maybe this one:

[Mnemosyne]

4. I am the Walrus. Adorable and sad. nt

[TwilightGardener]

5. Aww, poor thing--hope he does well.

[formercia]

6. He's just Molting, so he looks a little ratty.

It's normal for them to haul-out when the Weather begins to warm.

[LeftyMom]

7. I don't know if you can blame a single incident on global warming.

You'd have to have a trend before you could make that argument, with a single animal it's just as likely to be sick (which can mess up their ability to navigate) or just plain lost.

I live 100 miles inland and we occasionally get marine mammals (whales on several occasions, as well as seals and sea lions) this far upriver. A sea lion turned up on a farm road in Fresno once, which is a good deal farther from the ocean than I am.

[Tanuki]

8. Reminds me a little of the seal that came in through a family's cat door

They lived near the harbor, in New Zealand. The little seal then sauntered into the den and plopped down on the sofa as if he owned the place! (cute pics at link)
http://blogs.discovery.com/animal_news/2011/12/seal-sneaks-into-house-grabs-some-shut-eye-on-couch.html

[WillParkinson]

9. Okay, I admit...

That *WAS* adorable.