WALLY the Walrus is facing deportation — after angering fishermen by capsizing and wrecking boats.
The 2,000lb beast could be moved from his temporary home on the Isles of Scilly — but officials fear he may simply swim back after he is released.
Sources from the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs told The Sun it was working with expert divers on a plan to transport him safely.
However, they are also concerned about the welfare of the giant mammal, which normally lives in the Arctic but was first spotted here back in March.
Wally’s latest UK stint came shortly before England’s Euros clash with Scotland last month, when he arrived on the Isles of Scilly, which are just off Cornwall.
He had returned after being spotted basking off France and Spain and, at first, locals were excited to see him.
But now they say he has become a danger who is costing them money.
Wally has caused trouble by taking marathon kips on boats — either breaking them or leaving them out of action while he snoozes for more than 48 hours.
John Hourston, who runs marine group Blue Planet Society, said: “We are getting quite a few people asking us why Wally can’t be taken home. He is causing a fair amount of mayhem and the novelty of having him around might be wearing thin.”
‘YOU’RE BECOMING A MENACE’
Boat owner Isaac Scoble posted: “That walrus needs to go. I don’t think visitors realise that the islanders spend a lot of money on their boats, some up to tens of thousands of pounds.”
Joy Hughes added: “He’s lovely, but sorry Wally you’re becoming a menace and dangerous, too. This will not end well if he stays much longer.”
Wally is thought to have drifted from the Arctic on an iceberg and was first spotted in March around islands north of Scotland, then Ireland. He then popped up off Tenby, Pembrokeshire, before travelling to Cornwall, spending time near Padstow.
The juvenile male then swam 390 miles to the French coast — before moving 230 miles across the Bay of Biscay to Bilbao, Spain.
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UK officials haven’t decided where they’ll take him to.
DEFRA said: “Moving marine mammals has the potential to cause a large amount of stress to the animal and it is not guaranteed that they won’t swim back to the original location.
“We would therefore want to ensure that any action taken to move Wally minimises stress which could negatively impact his welfare.”