Staff at the Alaska SeaLife Center is providing “round-the-clock cuddling” to a wayward walrus calf rescued from the North Slope. The calf is only the 10th walrus ever admitted to the SeaLife Center in its 25-year history.
The walrus pup rests his head on the lap of an Alaska SeaLife Center staff member after being admitted to the center’s Wildlife Response Program.
A wayward walrus calf, just one month old, was rescued from the North Slope and flown to the Alaska SeaLife Center in Seward, where the staff is now providing “round-the-clock cuddling” to the 200-pound pinniped. Dr. Carrie Goertz, director of animal health at the SeaLife Center, said the walrus is improving and taking to his new caregivers.The center says workers on the North Slope spotted the baby walrus on tundra, about four miles inland from the Beaufort Sea.“Observers reported a notable ‘walrus trail’ on the tundra close to a road where he was discovered, although it is unknown how he arrived inland,” a press release from the SeaLife Center says.
Veterinarians at the SeaLife Center found the young male walrus was suffering from dehydration, malnutrition and a cloudy eye. The SeaLife Center is now providing 24-hour care. “Walruses are highly tactile and social animals, receiving near-constant care from their mothers during the first two years of life,” the SeaLife Center said in a written statement. “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.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Alaska SeaLife Center takes in Pacific walrus pup found on North SlopeThe Alaska SeaLife Center in Seward is taking care of a young male Pacific walrus, the first in four years.
Read more »
Alaska asks judge to determine whether federal officials can create ‘Indian country’ in the stateThe state of Alaska has formally asked a federal judge to decide whether the Bureau of Indian Affairs may create the equivalent of reservations in Alaska on behalf of Alaska Native tribes. Via AlaskaBeacon
Read more »
Lawsuits target Alaska predator-control program that killed 99 bears in effort to boost caribouThe Board of Game-authorized program carried out in southwestern Alaska was illegal and will not help the flagging Mulchatna caribou herd, the lawsuits claim.
Read more »
Interior Alaska wildfire updateStatewide fires have claimed nearly 47 thousand acres with approximately 133 fires burning in Interior Alaska since Tuesday, August 1.
Read more »
Alaska Girl Scout pioneer, Sarah Hall Eliassen, leaves legacy of empowerment and educationSarah Eliassen of Eagle River passed away on July 3, 2023, at the age of 98. She had her funeral Sunday, July 30, at the United Methodist Church of Chugiak. Sarah was a ‘Pioneer’ Girl Scout who came from Georgia and Alabama to Alaska in 1957 to be the executive director of the Susitna Girl Scout Council (now the Girl Scouts of Alaska). In 1958, she became Director of the Togowoods Camp. Sarah met her husband, Bob, when the float plane she was on landed on Three Mile Lake. Bob was a homesteader there and went to check out the rare visitor to his area — little did he know he was about to meet his future wife. After becoming the first camp director at Togowoods in 1958, Sarah and Bob were instrumental in building the camp and supporting its development over the years. Sarah took a break from her career to raise her children, Martha Lynn and Charlie. She returned to teaching at Eagle River Elementary School in the early 1970s, and later moved to the brand new Homestead Elementary School, where she continued teaching until the mid-1980s. Girl Scouting remained a focus for Sarah throughout her life. She joined at age 10, and even when she moved into her teaching career, continued to volunteer to help with Togowoods and other projects, including a troop for her granddaughters. “Outside of family and religion, being a Girl Scout is the most important thing in my life. Not a day passes that I’m not aware I’m a Girl Scout. You have the Ten Commandments and the Girl Scout Law,” she said. “With those two guiding you, you cannot go wrong.” Sarah was a tireless advocate for young people — those she worked with as a Girl Scout leader and those she taught. She also rallied her neighborhood to save designated park land from illegal development. The little neighborhood park is now named in honor of the Eliassen family. In October 2020, Sarah was inducted into the Alaska Women’s Hall of Fame. Story Ideas or questions or comments, email Dave at AllgoodNewsKTUU.com.
Read more »