Rare Walrus Calf Found Alone Is Rescued, Receives Round-The-Clock Cuddling Sessions

August 7, 2023

A rare pacific walrus calf has been admitted to the Alaska Sealife Center (ASLC) after workers spotted the young walrus alone on Alaska's North Slope - a highly unusual location for Pacific walrus.

Credit: Alaska SeaLife Center

The Pacific walrus calf, estimated to be about a month old, arrived at ASLC on August 1.

"Walrus calves depend on maternal care for their first two years of life, and with no adults in the vicinity, it was apparent that the wayward calf would not survive long without intervention," the ASLC said.

The center said it was its first walrus patient in four years and only one of 10 walruses ever admitted to the center in its 25-year history.

Credit: Alaska SeaLife Center

ASLC staff is currently following a 24-hour care regimen, which is more demanding than many other marine mammals require. Walruses are highly tactile and social animals, receiving near-constant care from their mothers during the first two years of life.

To emulate this maternal closeness, round-the-clock "cuddling" is being provided to ensure the calf remains calm and develops in a healthy manner. Calves tend to habituate quickly to human care, and staff report that he is already eating formula from a bottle.

Credit: Alaska SeaLife Center

"We are lucky that his first night went well," said ASLC Wildlife Response Curator Jane Belovarac. "It isn't often that we're able to admit a walrus calf, but every time we do, we learn more about the species and how to care for them."

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