Today Show Highlights Plight of the Pacific Walrus

My buddy Kevin who works for the NASA Earth Observatory, Twittered me a link to a WWF (World Wildlife Fund, not World Wrestling Federation) story about the recent haul-outs in Alaska and Russia. I have a post in drafts about that, but he also alerted me to the fact that the Today Show ran a piece about the haul-out and the retreat of sea ice. Since I don’t watch Today since I, you know, have a job during the day – I had no idea about this piece. It’s online though, and here’s the link.

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891

Simon the Walrus: UK Argos Advertisement

First, a disclaimer: No, walrus do NOT forage around atop the ice for food, I am aware that they root around the sea floor with their whiskers. And no, walrus and penguins do NOT happily co-exist in the frozen north (or more properly south). Suspend your disbelief and enjoy the post.

“Simon the Walrus” is currently advocating the benefits of grocery delivery in the UK. These spots are amusing, and it’s fun to see a walrus being used as an advertising spokesmodel. From his accent, Simon must have gone to a good school, with a dignified voice that befits his station.

But even more enjoyable is the “behind the scenes” video posted to Youtube by Argos, showing how the spot was shot and how Simon was made and animated – I assumed it was CGI. I was wrong. Check this out!

We got the experts, the top guys in this business, to do this walrus…

The spots are created by UK Ad agency CHI & Partners.

What Does a Walrus Sound Like?

Despite what you may have heard, walruses do NOT say “Koo Koo Ka Choo” although you wouldn’t know it by the frequency at which that phrase is posted to Twitter. In actuality, a walrus sounds a little like “Chewbacca” from Star Wars or more accurately, the other way around. Walrus make a variety of grunting and whistling sounds, they do NOT bark like sea lions. Hear and see for yourself

Here’s a “soundboard” of various walrus sounds as well. Now you know!
http://www.soundboard.com/sb/Walrus_sounds.aspx