A wandering walrus that waddled ashore in Calshot caused a similar stir 300 miles in Yorkshire after completing its final journey.
Huge crowds have flocked to the seaside resort of Scarborough after what is believed to have been the first sighting of a walrus in the county.
Civic leaders have decided to cancel the city’s New Year’s Eve fireworks display, fearing the event will afflict the mammal.
Nicknamed Thor, the bulky creature was seen dozing on the beach near Calshot Activity Center on December 11.
A week later he arrived in the French town of Dieppe, having toured the Netherlands in early November before making his brief visit to Hampshire last month.
READ MORE: A walrus swims away from Calshot Beach – Watch the video
The walrus arrived in Scarborough on Friday evening and has quickly become Yorkshire’s newest tourist attraction.
Local wildlife experts asked people not to disturb the creature, saying it appeared to be “pausing” before moving on and continuing its journey north.
A cordon was put in place to keep crowds away from Thor, who would now have left the station.
Local resident Richard Coulson, 51, said: “The traffic on our road – it’s like a summer’s day.
“We see seals quite regularly around the Scarborough coast but something that size is huge. Its tusks are bigger than my arms.”
Stuart Ford, who runs the boat tour company Sealife Safari, added: “I was getting down to my boat and there it was on the slipway – beautiful. It must be half a ton.
READ MORE: Large walrus spotted dozing on Calshot beach
Sea Life Scarborough Aquarium said its animal care team was monitoring the walrus’ situation, along with the RSPCA and British Divers Marine Life Rescue.
Posting on social media, they added: “He looks good and is just taking a well deserved rest after his long adventure!
“Please be respectful of his rest and try not to disturb him.”
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