An unexpected visitor created a lot of attention early in the new year.

A walrus hauled up on the boat launch in Grate’s Cove on January 2. The massive creature drew plenty of visitors to the northern tip of the Baccalieu Trail.

Walrus were once relatively plentiful in Newfoundland. The southern population died out a few hundred years ago.

There have been a number of walrus sightings along the coast of Newfoundland in recent years, including an animal that was seen lingering in the area of the Narrows a few years ago.

@DFO_NL Reports of a Walrus off St. John's have been verified. pic.twitter.com/VaLXbPHWEa

— Brad Durnford (@BradDurnford1) August 1, 2014