All visitors to Orkney are special, but the islands welcomed a VIP guest with a difference today!
This stunning walrus has chosen the island of Sanday for a pit-stop and has been seen snoozing on the shore by a gallery of excited residents!
It’s not the first time Orkney has welcomed a walrus in recent years. The neighbouring island of North Ronaldsay had its own visitor in 2013, but it’s thought this is the first time one has been seen in Sanday.
The walrus apparently seems healthy and happy with its current surroundings, near Sandquoy in the north-east of the island.
It’s still relatively unusual for a walrus to be spotted so far south of the Arctic, but Orkney’s wildlife watchers aren’t complaining!
It’s another example of the rich and varied wildlife you can see here in Orkney. The Orkney Nature Festival in May celebrates every ‘wild Orkney’ – find out more via the official website.
Thanks to Adam at Orkney Wildlife Photography and Emma, the Sanday Ranger, for the images.
The Digital Orkney project has been part financed by the Scottish Government and the European Community Orkney LEADER 2014-2020 Programme.