On the 14th of March 2021, a walrus was sighted off Valentia Island, Co. Kerry and reported to ORCA's Observers App. #WallytheWalrus then went on to travel to Pembrokshire, Wales and to the Isle of Scilly, before heading south to Cornwall and then onto La Rochelle and Les Sables d'Olonne, France and to Bilbao, Spain. More recently, on the 9th of August, Wally showed up in West Cork, where ORCA volunteers joined Seal Rescue Ireland and Cork Animal Welfare Group in monitoring efforts during designated #WalrusWatches and encouraging the public to keep a safe distance.

Despite out best efforts, Wally's location was released to the media and he was inundated with press, photographers and members of the public that paid no regard to his need for rest and sanctuary.

Two species of pinnipeds are resident in Irish waters, the gray seal and the harbour seal. Unlike these true seals (Phocids) or eared seals (Otariids), Walrus are part of their own fore flippered family - Odobenidae .

Currently gray seals and harbour seals are protected in Irish waters, but Arctic vagrants like "Wally" the Walrus remain unprotected and vulnerable to disturbance.

With the recent IPCC report on Climate change, it is predicted that we will get more Arctic species in Irish waters in the coming decades, with changing habitats and shifts in species distribution.

WILD & FREE- SAY NO TO CAPTIVITY

Cetacean captivity leads to a number of issues for dolphins and whales which are held in artificial concrete tanks to entertain crowds of oblivious on-lookers. These include pre-mature death, dorsal fin collapse, an un-natural diet and un-natural habitat, oral degradation, artificial pods, excessive aggression, lack of mental stimulation and limited space which can lead to abnormal stereotypical behaviours,  In addition captive whales are subject to captive breeding programmes and mother/calf separation.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), wild killer whales can live from 50 to 100 years old. To date, 170 killer whales have died prematurely in captivity, with life expectancy of 85% of females in SeaWorld likely to die before the age of 25 years.

CATPTIVE ORCA RECORDS

ORCA Ireland's "Database of Captive Killer whales" tracks whale's taken from the wild or bred in captivity in the marine park industry around the world.

There are currently 60 killer whales in being held in captive facilities around the globe. To view a detailed account of captive orca records click on the 'Captive ORCA Records' button below.  A detailed account of killer whales which are being held in captive facilities in Europe, Asia and the U.S, can be found, however, it is not always possible to find information on whales held captive in Russian facilities. We regularly update the status of captive killer whales and keep records of whales which have died in captivity.  These records have details of deceased orca since 1961, and includes  "Keiko", the whale used in blockbuster 1990's film "Free Willy".