Thor the Walrus makes New Year’s debut in Scarborough | UK News

Wandering walruses, which have been seen in the North Sea and several ports along the Atlantic coast in recent months, will happen to be in Scarborough in 2023.

Thor, better known as the mammal, surfaced in the Yorkshire seaside town on Friday night and drew huge crowds to the area.

Arctic walruses were last spotted in Hampshire coastline earlier this month.

It was first spotted in the Netherlands on November 6 and has been sailing along the coast of France in recent weeks, as far as Brittany.

So far, experts have not been able to determine whether Thor is a man or a woman.

Local wildlife experts have asked people not to disturb the creature, saying it appears to be “resting” in Scarborough and will continue its journey north in a few days once it has had enough rest.

A cordon is in place.

Scarborough resident Richard Coulson said: “I live on the corner where it’s actually on, the traffic coming and going on the road – it’s like summer, it’s really full of cars and people.

“It’s amazing how much attention it has brought.”

He added: “We see seals quite often around the Scarborough coastline, but seals of that size are huge.

“When you see something that big, you respect nature. Its tusk is bigger than my arm.”

Sea Life Scarborough Aquarium said its animal care team was working with the RSPCA and UK-based Divers Sea Life Rescue to monitor the condition of the walruses.

They wrote on social media: “Please don’t worry – he looks fine and resting after a long adventure!

“Please respect his rest and try not to disturb him. While this is a very exciting opportunity for us, they naturally don’t like a lot of noise and aren’t familiar with domesticated animals, so please keep pets on a leash and in good condition Safe distance for your own and his welfare.

“Hopefully in a few days he’ll be rested enough to continue his northern adventure!”