04 Jun 2024
Walrus, narwhal, killer whale (orca), and sperm whale are set to receive greater legal protections under the UK’s ban on importing, exporting and dealing in items containing ivory, the Government has announced. The species are already threatened by climate change, and the continuing trade in their ivory may exacerbate these threats and make their long-term survival […]
03 Jan 2023
A New Year’s Eve fireworks display had to be cancelled at the last minute to protect an Arctic walrus discovered in Scarborough. The event was called off over fears it “could cause distress to the mammal”. Council leader Steve Siddons said he was disappointed but “the welfare of the walrus has to take precedence”. Mr […]
23 Aug 2022
After warnings to the public to keep away from a walrus that has been spending its time in the Oslo fjord were not heeded, and discussions about options, the authorities decided that the walrus should be shot because of “the continued threat to human safety”. Following the hardly surprising public outrage (click here) the Norwegian […]
13 Apr 2021
Crowds gathering to watch the ‘Wally’ the walrus as well as people on paddleboards, canoes and jet skis trying to get a close-up of view of him is certainly not following the advice of either the old or updated Countryside Code (launched last week) to “give wild animals plenty of space”. Seals are a much […]