Valentia walrus seen off Waterford coast

A walrus that was spotted off Valentia Island five months ago has been seen again off the Waterford coast.

Yesterday, the giant walrus, whose natural habitat would be in the Arctic, was photographed in Clonea, Co Waterford by Cormac Walsh.

Pádraig Whooley is with the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group.

He says they're satisfied it's the same animal that was seen on Valentia in March by Alan Houlihan and his five-year-old daughter Muireann..

Walrus photograph by Cormac Walsh, taken off Clonea, Co Waterford 2/8/21

Photograph used with kind permission of Cormac Walsh. Irish Whale and Dolphin Group says red circle around left flipper of Clonea walrus confirms it is the same animal seem off Valentia Island on March 14th 2021

It's not known if the animal is male or female.

Pádraig Whooley of the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group says all bets are off as to where the walrus could turn up next.

It was seen again off the Waterford coast this morning.

Map of Valentia walrus's journey between March and August 2021. Map used with permission of authors Irish Whale and Dolphin Group.