\n The OMMRI said in a statement that a cordon has been put in place around the animal as it appears to be wounded and that the British Divers Marine Life Rescue has been contacted for further guidance.\n<\/p>\n
\n The charity added that despite some \u201cconcerns\u201d being raised by locals about the walrus\u2019s welfare, the organisation stressed that \u201cin situations like this there is often little that can practically be done\u201d.\n<\/p>\n
\n \u201cNature generally takes its course and there are obviously difficulties in safely getting close to an animal of this size let alone treating it,\u201d an OMMRI spokesperson said.\u00a0\u00a0\n<\/p>\n
\n \u201cWhat this does mean is that keeping your distance and allowing the animal to rest undisturbed is even more important than usual. Stress will not help its recovery.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n
\n \u201cThe best thing anyone can do for this walrus right now is leave it in peace.\u201d\n<\/p>\n
\n Walruses are specialist bottom feeders, diving to the seafloor to forage for benthic invertebrates.\n<\/p>\n
\n \n Their primary diet is molluscs, which include clams, mussels and cockles, but they will also eat worms, gastropods, cephalopods, crustaceans and sea cucumbers and are able to locate their prey using their highly sensitive vibrissae, their whiskers, and extract the soft parts using powerful suction, essentially hoovering the flesh straight out of the shell.\n<\/p>\n \n A OMMRI spokesperson explained that although walruses are Arctic animals, native to the sea ice and subarctic waters of the northern hemisphere, individuals that turn up on Orkney\u2019s shores are typically young roving animals.\n<\/p>\n \n They added that the adolescents may stray from their usual waters to possibly follow food or could be exploring, likely due to climate change.\n<\/p>\n \n \u201cWe’ve seen a handful of wandering walruses around northern Europe in recent years, and sightings do seem to be becoming less unusual, though whether that reflects a genuine increase or simply better recording is hard to say,\u201d the OMMRI spokesperson added.\n<\/p>\n \n READ MORE: Bus fares across Scotland could be capped at \u00a32 per journey, SNP manifesto says<\/a>\n<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20750542.jpg\")
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