Thor
SpeciesWalrus
SexMale
Weight750 kg (1,653 lb; 118 st 1 lb)
Named afterThor

Thor is the nickname of an Atlantic walrus (Odobenus rosmarus) first spotted in the Netherlands, in November 2022.[1][2][3]

Thor is a male walrus at least three years old[4] and estimated to weigh around 0.75 tonnes.[3]

Thor was originally sighted on 6 November 2022, first in Petten, North Holland, then Neeltje Jans island, Zeeland,[5] and subsequently travelled along the north coast of France to Brittany. In December 2022, Thor was spotted at Calshot, Hampshire[1] and then in Scarborough harbour, North Yorkshire on New Year's Eve.[4] On 2 January 2023 Thor appeared in Blyth, Northumberland.[6]

On 24 February 2023 British Divers Marine Life Rescue reported that Thor had been seen in Iceland.[7]

Response

Whilst Thor was in Calshot, the British Divers Marine Life Rescue issued warnings to the public to not get too close to the walrus and kept a cordon up to allow him to rest.[2]

Thor again appeared on New Year's Eve 2022 in Scarborough, North Yorkshire. British Divers Marine Life Rescue maintained a cordon through the night and the daytime until 4.20pm when he departed. Scarborough's New Year fireworks were cancelled after concerns arose after Marine Mammal Medics witnessed him becoming stressed at flashing lights from vehicles.[8] Scarborough Borough Council leader Steve Siddons said "the welfare of the walrus has to take precedence".[8]

Em Mayman, Yorkshire & Lincolnshire Assistant Coordinator for British Divers Marine Life Rescue praised the decision made to cancel the fireworks as a big step forward for animal welfare.[9]

References

  1. 1 2 "Thor the walrus: People urged not to disturb animal resting on Hampshire beach". Sky News. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
  2. 1 2 "Thor: Visiting walrus prompts warning at Calshot beach". BBC News. 11 December 2022. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
  3. 1 2 Comerford, Ruth (11 December 2022). "'Thor' the walrus spotted in Hampshire as people are warned to stay away". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
  4. 1 2 Port, Samuel (31 December 2022). "Walrus washes up on Scarborough Harbour with rescue teams urging crowds of 50 to 'stay away'". Yorkshire Live. Yorkshire. Retrieved 31 December 2022.
  5. ↑ Clapson, Colin (14 November 2022). "Thor the walrus: first walrus visit since 1976?". vrtnws.be. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
  6. ↑ "Thor the walrus arrives in Blyth after leaving Scarborough". BBC News. 2 January 2023.
  7. ↑ "Thor the walrus spotted in Iceland after leaving UK". BBC News. 25 February 2023. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
  8. 1 2 "Scarborough's New Year fireworks cancelled to protect walrus". BBC News. 2 January 2023.
  9. ↑ "THOR LOSER: Walrus Leaves UK for Colder Waters". 6 January 2023.
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