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A famous walrus who has travelled around 4,000km and has been spotted in the UK and Europe delighted locals after making an appearance in an Irish seaside town.

Wally the Walrus was photographed attempting to hop on to a boat owned by a local hotelier off the coast of Ardmore, Co Waterford, on Wednesday.

The marauding mammal was seen attempting to climb into a boat for a rest, much to the amusement of nearby canoeists, who kept an eye on the walrus as he continued his adventure.

The lonely walrus is believed to be from Svalbard, north of Norway, and has been on a 4,000km solo trip for months. 

Wally the Walrus was photographed attempting to hop on to a boat owned by a local hotelier off the coast of Ardmore, Co Waterford, on Wednesday

The famous mammal was seen attempting to climb into a boat for a rest, as he continued his European adventure

Wally was first spotted in Ireland off the coast of Valentia Island in March, and has since travelled along the coast of western Europe, being spotted in France, Spain and the UK.

Most recently he has been sighted in the Isles of Scilly, off Cornwall in England, with experts claiming he may be heading back to the Arctic after his European venture.  

Patrick Shields, general manager at the five-star Cliff House Hotel in Ardmore, joked that staff were surprised to see international guests arriving in the summer of a pandemic.

He said: 'I received a phone call at home to say we had a visitor in the bay since early morning.

'I was aware that Mike Dunne, a local fisherman, was going out to check and that there was a boat with a walrus on it in the harbour, which was surprising to me, initially. I needed to see it with my own eyes.

'When I came to the hotel around lunchtime I was surprised that Wally the Walrus had shown up.

The marauding mammal was seen approaching canoeists off the coast of Ardmore, who kept an eye on the walrus as he continued his adventure

The walrus is believed to be from Svalbard, north of Norway, and has been on a 4,000km solo trip for months. Pictured: Wally takes an interest in a boat off the coast of Ardmore

Dozens of excited locals and tourists arrived with binoculars and telescopes in a bid to get a view of the famous travelling walrus (pictured with canoeists on Wednesday)

'We haven't had a lot of international visitors this summer. So someone from Norway was exciting, and in particular a walrus, which was amazing. It's gathered a lot of attention.

'We understand he's been here since about 9am yesterday morning, or maybe a little bit before. There have been sightings all day yesterday and today as well.'

Dozens of excited locals and tourists arrived with binoculars and telescopes in a bid to get a view of the famous travelling walrus.

Mr Shields continued: 'A lot of people have been doing their own research online and they've discovered that he's been seen in France and Wales and England as well.

'I'm hopeful that he can make his journey back to Norway eventually, safely and soundly. It's garnered a lot of local interest and now international interest as well.

'The hotel owner owns the boat. I suppose you could say that the walrus is staying with us at the moment.'

Dubliner John Burn, who was visiting Ardmore on holiday, was among those seeking Wally out.

He said: 'I'm going to have a look at him. I'm going up Declan's Way for the walk. I didn't think he was here today.

Wally was first spotted in Ireland off the coast of Valentia Island in March, and has travelled along the coast of western Europe. Pictured: Wally climbs on a boat in Ardmore on Wednesday

Hotel manager Patrick Shields joked that staff were surprised to see international guests arriving in the summer of a pandemic. Pictured: Wally climbs on a boat off coast of Ardmore

'I just seen a picture of him in the paper this morning. He's a long way from home, isn't he?' 

The walrus had previously been in the Isles of Scilly since June 17 and proved a popular hit with tourists and locals, before leaving St Mary's to head back to Ireland. 

Isles of Scilly resident and wildlife enthusiast Scott Reid tweeted: 'Wally has finally left us! 

'He brought so much joy to the islands during his prolonged visit, he'll be missed! Enjoy your stay in Ireland big fella. Safe travel.'

Animal welfare groups believe Wally initially came across the North Atlantic ocean from Greenland on an ice floe.

He was first seen in Ireland before taking up residence in Tenby, Pembrokeshire in March.

Posting on Facebook, Seal Rescue Ireland said: 'The Walrus is back in Irish waters!

'The young, male Atlantic Walrus, who was originally sighted on Valentia Island, Co. Kerry, last March, has returned to Irish waters after completing the European leg of his tour.

'We ask if anyone encounters the Walrus to please:

'1) Do not approach him as he is a protected species. Observe quietly from a minimum of 300m and keep dogs on a lead.

Wally the Walrus has finally left the UK and been spotted in Ireland, with experts claiming he may be heading back to the Arctic after his European venture

Alaskan walrus expert Lori Quakenbush said Wally will only be able to move on if the has the energy to make the 3,200km journey home

'2) Do not publicly disclose the location of the sighting to avoid attracting crowds to him. Remember that this is a very sensitive species, and he's a very long way from his Arctic home.

'3) Report sightings to SRI's 24/7 Rescue Hotline on 0871955393. We are working with a number of wildlife organisations who have been monitoring his movements since he was first spotted last March, to minimise the risk of stress and injury and in hopes that he will make his way back to his native northern waters.

'As sea ice melts due to climate change, Arctic species, such as walruses, are losing habitat and may be forced to explore new areas.

'This isn't the first Arctic visitor Ireland has received in recent years (like Cloudberry the Ringed Seal), and he likely won't be the last.'

Wally was previously pictured hitching a ride on a boat so he could sunbathe and rest as experts believe he was seeking physical contact

Organisations and individuals, including British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR), Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust, Cornwall Seal Group Research Trust and the St Mary's Harbour Team, had been monitoring Wally's behaviour, implementing strategies to ensure his safety and limit damage to property.

The walrus had got into hot water after he became accustomed to climbing on dinghies in the area and damaging boats in St Mary's Harbour.

A customised pontoon with his own scent was built for him so he could have a safe space to rest before he was able to travel again.   

Locals on the Isles of Scilly were warned to stay away from Wally the Walrus as high temperatures are 'challenging him'.

The Cornwall Seal Group Research Trust warned: 'This heat is not something he is adapted for so it's more important now more than ever to give him rest and space.'

Dan Jarvis from British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR), which has been monitoring the walrus, said a sighting was confirmed on Monday afternoon.

The walrus had previously been in the Isles of Scilly since June 17 and proved a popular hit with tourists and locals, before leaving St Mary's to head back to Ireland 

He told the BBC: 'We are really pleased it has worked out for the best. The best news would be that he continues to travel north under his own steam. We'll just have to wait and see.

'He has been a very popular character while he's been here but we're all quite pleased that he's moved on now because we were starting to worry how long this might carry on for. He has certainly been a highlight and something to remember.'

BDMLR said in a statement shared with their supporters: 'We hope after having spent enough time recuperating after his jaunt from South Wales to Scilly via Spain, that this is a good sign he now has the energy to power himself back to the Arctic.

'We will of course continue to keep an eye on his travels and assist our colleagues should any help and advice be needed.'

Alaskan walrus expert Lori Quakenbush said Wally will only be able to move on if the has the energy to make the 3,200km journey home.