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Wally the walrus to get his own pontoon

Clonakilty Distillery Wally the walrus on a boatClonakilty Distillery
Wally's weight has led to several boats being sunk or capsized by his presence

A pontoon is being prepared for Wally the walrus in an effort to stop him from sinking more boats.

The walrus first made waves in Ireland when he was spotted in County Kerry in March.

The 800kg (125st) walrus has since travelled 4,000km (2,485 miles) and been spotted in France, Spain and the UK.

The Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG) said he was sinking one or two boats in every harbour he enters.

He was most recently spotted at Crookhaven Harbour in County Cork on Wednesday.

Padraig Whooley, IWDG's sighting officer, said boat owners should cover their vessels or remove the engines to protect them from damage.

Clonakilty Distillery Wally the walrus on a boatClonakilty Distillery
A special platform will be provided for Wally to lounge on

Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, he asked people to not approach Wally.

"It is doing absolutely fine on it's own and there is no evidence it will benefit from human protection," he said.

"Don't mill around on boats as it has the potential to disturb this animal.

"The walrus is doing absolutely fine without us."

Clonakilty Distillery Wally the walrus on a boatClonakilty Distillery
People have been urged to keep their distance from Wally

Meanwhile Seal Rescue Ireland hope a pontoon will offer Wally an alternative resting spot.

However, executive director Melanie Croce said it was proving difficult to get the floats in place in time before Wally moved on.

"We just hope the next time he jumps off the boat, they're going to try to take the boat away, so that he uses the rib alternatively," she said.

"If he does take to the rib, which is what we're hoping he'll do, then that will be a designated place for him to be safe."

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People getting too close could be stressing Wally out and causing him to repeatedly board and disembark from boats, warned Ms Croce.

"He is showing signs of an injury on his flipper as well," she said.

"So just please, please respect him from a distance."

Clonakilty Distillery Wally the walrus on a boatClonakilty Distillery
The walrus has damaged a flipper from climbing on and off boats

The public have been urged to exercise caution and not get too close to Wally for their own safety.

"There may be risks from a water safety perspective where large numbers of people are congregating on the water," said Green Party TD Malcolm Noonan..

He also said walruses were not protected under the Wildlife Act.

"It's basically the same as a fox or rabbit under the law, so it's up to people to cop on and have consideration for this poor wild animal, which is a long way from home," he said.

"Leave it alone and if you must go and see it, use binoculars."