The Alaska SeaLife Center (ASLC) team is currently Caring for Pacific Walrus CalvesShe was likely left behind by the herd at Utqiagvik. Northernmost city Located in Alaska, approximately 320 miles north of the Arctic Circle. Athleticthe animal is Agile and “cheeky” This is the 11th walrus and the second female walrus patient since the center opened in 1998. A walrus hospitalized in the summer of 2023 made headlines, but Died From irreversible health problems.
The walrus was first spotted alone on the coast of Uçgiagvik on July 22. Subsistence hunters in the area noticed that the walrus herd had recently left. This led them to believe that the calf was Left behindALSC staff received permission from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to assist in the rescue and treatment of new patients.
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of 800 Mile Journey to the Heart of Seward The rescue took approximately 24 hours, during which ASLC partners rehydrated the calf, which weighed approximately 165 pounds. The calf is estimated to be a few weeks old or less and is currently in the custody of ASLC’s wildlife response and veterinary teams. After an initial examination, the team determined the calf was dehydrated and malnourished, but alert. Emergency rehydration and stabilization efforts were completed at approximately 1 a.m. local time on July 23.
“we [the calf] “Although it’s a break, that doesn’t mean staff have time to rest; at least two staff members per shift are with the walrus calves, preparing food, cleaning the environment and caring for other rehabilitation patients,” says ASLC veterinary technician Jessica Davis. It said in a statement“There will be some weird sleep patterns from now on, but that’s OK. We work for the animals. We want to give back and make sure the animals are successful. It’s all part of the job we love.”
Caring for Pacific walruses is a bit more challenging than other marine mammals. Walrus calves are very social and rely on physical contact with their mothers for comfort. Staff act as surrogate mothers, caring for the babies 24 hours a day. The calves become accustomed to human care and cannot be released back into the wild.
“Walruses are very dependent on their mothers for the first two years of their lives and wouldn’t survive without them, so this baby wouldn’t have survived very long without its mother,” said Harry Warner, animal care specialist with Wildlife Response. It said in a statement“She now has a second chance at life in human care where she will receive fantastic care and help raise awareness for her species.”
The calf is not available to the public, but if its condition improves it may be moved to a location out of public view. Regular updates will be posted on the ASLC website. Facebook and Instagram page.
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Pacific walrus (Odobenus rosmarus divergens)teeth Subspecies of walrusThey are, Bering Sea, Chukchi Sea, Laptev Sea, East Siberian SeaThey feed mainly on sea cucumbers, clams, crabs and arthropods. Main threats Decreasing sea ice, predation by killer whales and polar bears, hunting for subsistence, Where they “land”. Pinniped-like sealSea turtles, seals and walruses come out of the water briefly to breed and rest after foraging, and Pacific walruses typically do this on the sea ice, so they are particularly sensitive to sea ice decline.
Due to the difficulty of investigation, Between 50,000 and 500,000 of these animalsSome scientists Recommendation for listing as “endangered” It is listed as an endangered species. However, the Trump administration The petition was dismissed in 2017.. according to ASLC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation)However, other high priority species will not be listed.
