After arriving back in Irish waters a week ago, it’s understandable that Wally the walrus would need a power nap again, after all that travelling, and has been spotted once again utilising an unmanned boat for a snooze!

After more than six weeks in the idyllic islands off Cornwall, the Arctic visitor popped up in Ireland again, in the area of Clonea located near Dungarvan in County Waterford on August 2; but since the weekend he has swam over to Clonakilty in Cork.

A member of staff from Clonakilty Distillery posted today (August 9): “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 was first spotted off Kerry in Ireland, on March 14, after it is believed he may have fallen asleep on an iceberg off Greenland which drifted to Valentia Island.

Within six days he had made his way over to Pembrokeshire where he was spotted at Broad Haven beach, and within a few days he rocked up in Tenby, mostly making his home on the RNLI’s lifeboat station slipway, where Wally remained for around seven weeks, before heading to Cornwall.

By late May Wally continued to track south to France, before eventually returning to the UK, arriving in the Isles of Scilly on June 17, where he caused a bit of mischief for boat owners, in trying to rest up on their vessels, before a special floating purpose-built pontoon was created for him to relax on with his scent to attract him away from boats and other areas.

Posting on social media last week, wildlife sanctuary Seal Rescue Ireland stated: “The Walrus is back in Irish waters! The young, male Atlantic Walrus, who was originally sighted on Valentia Island, Co. Kerry last March, has returned to Irish waters after completing the European leg of his tour.

“We are working with a number of wildlife organisations who have been monitoring his movements since he was first spotted last March, to minimise the risk of stress/injury and in hopes that he will make his way back to his native northern waters.

“As sea ice melts due to climate change, Arctic species, such as walruses, are losing habitat and may be forced to explore new areas.

“This isn’t the first Arctic visitor Ireland has received in recent years (like Cloudberry the Ringed Seal), and he likely won’t be the last.”

The wildlife sanctuary has reiterated to anyone who may encounter the walrus not approach him as he is a protected species; and to observe him quietly from a minimum of 300m.

“Remember that this is a very sensitive species, and he’s a very long way from his Arctic home,” they added.