Scarborough's Walrus - 10 Amazing Facts!

The Walrus which visited Scarborough from late on Friday, until the evening of Saturday (New Year's Eve) was truly remarkable for many reasons. Here's 10 amazing facts which explain how unique this event was:

Walruses have only been spotted in the UK and Ireland around 40 times in the last 140 years and never before in Yorkshire!
Walruses belong in the Arctic and Walruses are found in icey, northern waters around Greenland, Canada, Norway and Russia.
Walruses like to rest on sea ice. In Scarborough, the Walrus rested on the cobbled landing close to the West Pier, in the corner of the harbour, with locals and visitors having the perfect viewpoint on the raised walkway nearby. Local marine organisations taped off the landing, keeping the Walrus safe from people and dogs.
This Walrus is called 'Thor' meaning 'Thunder' in Norse.
Thor, despite his huge size, is only a juvenile. He could live for another 35-plus years.
Thor has been spotted even further south than Scarborough. Earlier this month, he was seen around the Isle Of Wight and then in Northern France. It's hoped he's now working his way northwards, towards home in the Arctic.
The skin colour of a Walrus changes to pink when they are exposed to warmer temperatures.
Scarborough's New Year's Eve Fireworks Display was cancelled, to protect Thor from noise and crowds. Shortly after the cancellation was announced, Thor left Scarborough!
There have two more Walruses spotted in UK and Irelands waters in the last 2 years. One is Wally, who has enjoyed climbing onto yachts for naps. The other was Freya who sadly was euthanased in Oslo, Norway after the government deemed her to be a danger to the public.
The latin name for the Walrus is Odobenus Rosmarus - meaning 'tooth walking sea horse'!

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