Thor the walrus is seen taking a nap on a UK beach after traveling from Europe

A large walrus was found resting on a UK beach today in what is a rare UK sighting.

The marine mammal – nicknamed ‘Thor’ – was discovered resting on the shore of the Solent on the south coast after traveling from Europe.

Fisherman Darren Mckell had been out with his wife Caroline and son Luke in the early hours when they found the ‘hunk’ at Calshot Beach, Hants on Sunday morning.

“Seeing the walrus was a double-take moment,” said McKell, 49.

The fisherman and his family, from the nearby town of Holbury, said they thought it was a seal.

As Thor rests and swims near the beach, members of the public have been warned to stay away as walruses are protected from disturbance under UK law.

British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDLMR) is at the scene alongside the coastguard, with medics monitoring the large mammal.

Walruses tend to live in and around the Arctic Circle and it’s rare for them to come this far south, but Thor was last spotted in the Netherlands on November 6 and has been traveling along the coast French as far as Brittany lately. weeks

Walruses travel long distances and have resting places to recuperate and regain energy before setting off again.

Mr McKell said: “It was amazing and such a shock.

“At first I thought it was a seal, but as I got closer I saw it was huge and it was a walrus.

“It was absolutely amazing to see something like that, especially in these waters. I hadn’t realized how rare it was to see a walrus here.

“It was beautiful to see, but something you wouldn’t expect. I’ve never seen a walrus in the wild as they don’t normally live in these areas.

“Seeing the walrus was a double-take moment.”

Last year two walruses visited the UK – Wally, who visited South Wales and the Isles of Scilly and Freya, who visited Northumberland and Shetland.

A BDMLR spokesperson said: “Key advice is being given to everyone to give the walrus a very wide berth to avoid disturbing it.

“They walk long distances and make stops to recover and regain energy before heading back out.

“Anytime it is disturbed by people who are too close or loud, it will impact its chances of survival. Walruses are protected from disturbance under UK law.

“Of course we don’t know how long Thor will be in the UK, but while he’s here we ask everyone to behave reasonably and responsibly for their safety and that of the walrus in order to avoid worst case scenario.”