St Andrews academics helped a Welsh lifeboat station cope with Wally the walrus, who made himself at home on a vital slipway.
Estimated to weigh nearly 100 stones, the walrus strayed from its Arctic home to the seaside town of Tenby in Wales.
Although good news for wildlife spotters, the walrus affectionately dubbed Wally caused a few problems for the local RNLI lifeboat station.
Wally took to sunbathing on the slipway before disappearing a few days ago. He has since been seen in Cornwall.
With the stay local rule lifted in Wales as of today, you never know who you're going to see in Tenby. Meet our latest recruit – a walrus! @RNLI #tenbywalrus pic.twitter.com/ptuePoZPKH
— TenbyRNLI (@TenbyRNLI) March 27, 2021
Walruses ‘very large’ animals
The Sea Mammal Research Unit (SMRU) at St Andrews University helped advise the lifesaving crew on how to move him.
SMRU director Dr Carol Sparling said: “It’s a very large animal and you want to do it without injuring or distressing the animal, but you’re also careful about human safety.”
The crew tried everything from a noisy airhorn to a water hose in an attempt to get Wally to budge.
“You can try various noisy activities,” said Dr Sparling.
“There was suggestion they could build a floating pontoon to encourage it to haul out there rather than on the slip.”
Discussions with the Welsh Government
She added: “We’ve been in discussion with the Welsh Government as well, and their nature conservation agency, about ensuring that anything we suggested is compliant with the legislation protecting that animal.”
The RNLI confirmed it worked with a number of organisations including the SMRU to “ensure the wellbeing of the Arctic visitor” while they tried to move Wally.
Wally not bothered by airhorn
An RNLI spokesperson said lifeboat crews were able to launch by “gently nudging” Wally into the water.
“During a routine exercise on Monday, the airhorn did not prove successful so the crew were advised by experts to trial a gentle fresh water hose pipe, which successfully moved Wally on.
“It took the crew approximately 12 minutes to move him to safety so the lifeboat could launch.”
The RNLI said it was “imperative” the station was able to launch its lifeboat 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Wally in good health
Natural Resources Wales (NRW), the Welsh Government’s nature agency, has been keeping an eye on Wally.
Holly Self, who is a marine mammal specialist advisor at NRW, said Wally was last seen at the Cornwall coast.
“The Walrus looks generally healthy and appeared to put on weight while he was in Wales,” she said.
“He has now been spotted in Padstow, Cornwall. The multi-agency team is keeping watch in case he decides to return to his spot in Tenby.”
How exciting! Wally the walrus is in Cornwall! These amazing shots were taken by Nathaniel Barry off the coast yesterday. It is thought that Wally has come from Greenland on an ice floe. How exciting that he has now decided to pop over for a visit!
Incredible photos. pic.twitter.com/yH5PEvRzpm
— CornwallMammalGroup (@CornwallMammal) May 20, 2021
Ms Self added: “As the nature conservation adviser in Wales, we provided guidance to our partners in a multi-agency effort, while ‘Wally’ walrus was resting in Tenby.
“We received advice from the Sea Mammal Research Unit on what actions would make sure the walrus was as safe and well as possible.
“We advised RNLI staff of how to use safe methods to clear the slipway to respond to an emergency. They trained to do this in the safest way for themselves and for Wally walrus.
“The Wildlife and Countryside Act safeguards animals like Wally. It is an offence to intentionally disturb, injure, kill or possess and sell this species.”
