Wally's Unexpected European Vacation

Wally the walrus found himself far from home when he likely fell asleep on an iceberg near Ireland. He then drifted from his Arctic home to Europe - a place walruses rarely visit. This began his unusual solo adventure across Western Europe.

Tracking a Tourist Walrus

Marine biologists kept tabs on Wally as he explored new territories. His journey took him through the United Kingdom, France, and even as far south as Spain. After his southern tour, Wally started heading back north, making a six-week stop at the Isles of Scilly.

Boat Problems Emerge

During his stay at the Isles of Scilly, Wally started causing some trouble. He began using boats as his personal sleeping spots. This might seem cute, but Wally weighed about 1,800 pounds at the time. Many of the boats he picked for naps were too small for his size. As a result, he ended up sinking several vessels.

A Custom Solution

The British Divers Marine Life Rescue came up with a clever fix. They built Wally his own floating couch - really a strong pontoon with sides he could lean against. The goal was to be good hosts while also protecting people's boats from damage.

Couch Surfing Back Home

Wally loved his new floating spot and used it regularly. When he left to continue his journey north, Seal Rescue Ireland followed the British team's lead. They also made a special float for him. This allowed Wally to literally "couch surf" his way up the coast.

Back to the Arctic

After spending some time in Cork, Ireland, Wally was spotted in Iceland 22 days later. This was wonderful news for everyone who had been following his journey. The sighting confirmed that Wally was making his way back to the Arctic.

Home Sweet Home

Today, Wally is believed to be back in the Arctic, living a normal walrus life with other walruses. His European vacation became a memorable story with a happy ending, thanks to the caring humans who helped him along the way.