When Does Fascination Become Obsessive, Even Ghoulish.

[Canary42]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-york-north-yorkshire-64134860

OK, I realise that spotting an animal in the wild is always more satisfying than TV or Zoo, but I am always astounded at the number of people who attend such occurrences as this, often driving many miles to do so. And sadly often to the detriment of the animal's welfare.

I wonder how much it has to do with "bragging rights" - i.e. I was there

[douglas9401]

Is Stuart Ford The Eggman?

[pastafreak]

Aww...he looks like a huge sleeping cat...with tusks...and wrinkled, leathery skin...oh, and flippers.
So not really like a cat.
I do hope people are cautious and don't scare him.

[wolf63]

Whilst I understand that people may want to see the animal they should consider the harm they may do to it. Not that he seems bothered.

You could probably smell it miles away and save yourself the journey.

I can just hear the first of our fireworks going off. My cats used to enjoy the display ( from behind the double glazing and sitting on a warm seat).

[rowanwitch]

I suppose it's just a bigger versions of birders twitching a rarity. I ended up in the middle of a twitch at Cley one time. I was there to see if I could tick spoonbills and cattle egret which although not rare I needed for my UK list, but there was a rareish phalarope on one of the pools and even with the wardens doing their best some of those there behaved in a way that was not in the interest of that bird, or any other in the vicinity. On the plus side they ended up disturbing it and it flew over to where Dave and I were able to get good views and an unexpected tick. Never got spoonbills though.

[Prudie]

I hope those that are in a position to do so can protect him from the hordes, many of whom ignore requests for respect. We had similar with a seal that was a regular round Weymouth beach ( an usual visitor for this part of the coast). He became famous via the local papers and then got killed by a boat propeller thanks to some ignorant tourist feeding him fish from the boat.

[rowanwitch]

The good thing is they have a good seal watching history in Scarborough, so they are used to the seal family and I am sure they will protect him.

[jno]

if you're obsessed with seeing walruses in Yorkshire, it looks like this is the only chance anyone has ever had; it's a very niche obssession.

[jourdain2]

Well, I live not all that far from Scarborough and the local press, community facebook pages etc. are full of it. There is apparently an exclusion zone around the pongy beast and people are on watch. It seemed perfectly happy and self-composed last I saw.

[wolf63]

Jno, you are a cynic. There may be group meetings for men keen to see a Walrus.

[jourdain2]

Stop Press on my facebook page. Scarborough's New Year Firework display has been cancelled because of concern for the walrus. That's going to cost them a packet and there will be loads of cold people wandering around now.

[jno]

there may be, wolf, but the ones in Yorkshire must lead a very quiet life, thanks to lack of walruses (or walrorum, as the Romans might have said).

[Canary42]

///You could probably smell it miles away and save yourself the journey. ///

I can't stop chuckling at that, so must give it BA.

[Xeronema]

Odd, Scarborough has never cancelled a fireworks display before, for the sake of animals. Me thinks they didn't want a fireworks display.

[jourdain2]

Well, it is pouring down!

[Xeronema]

So it is! The Lord Rosebery will be crammed even more than usual at this time.

[barry1010]

Some people have a compulsion to tick off everything on a list, they really can't help it. Hopefully the list will be birds or some other largely innocent preoccupation.

[237SJ]

I don't think the fascination is obsessive. People are just curious and don't realise that wild animals are that - wild and should be left alone.

[barry1010]

Any remember the fascination folk had with the dead whales on tour? https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-35891577

[Canary42]

237SJ - OK, perhaps I'm becoming obsessed with using the word obsessed :-)

[tiggerblue10]

I hope it doesn't go the same the poor seal went a few years ago. It got attacked by a dog and died. Shouldn't do though walruses are massive.