An infant walrus, rescued earlier this month that needed round-the-clock cuddles, has unfortunately died, the Alaska SeaLife Center (ASLC) said in a statement where it had been receiving treatment.
“We are heartbroken to share that the walrus calf admitted to the ASLC Wildlife Response Program on August 1, 2023, passed away this morning after his condition took a turn for the worse,” read the statement.
The baby calf was found on Alaska’s North Slope, miles away from the ocean without the mother or any other walrus around. It had been suffering from a number of serious health concerns, including nutrient malabsorption (a condition where the body cannot effectively absorb nutrients from food).
The 200-pound (90 kilogrammes) walrus calf had been receiving near-constant care from the rescuers at the centre to mimic the care that he would receive from his mother. The staff described cuddling as giving an “option to have a warm body to lean up against” which the pup had been taking advantage of almost constantly.
Notably, walrus calves are heavily dependent on their mother until they are two years old. However, they are quick to respond to the care of humans and initially, the walrus, who was not named, managed to drink formula from a bottle.
“While often rewarding, wildlife rescue is inherently unpredictable and comes with it the possibility of great loss. For those that dedicate their lives to animal care, this is the hardest part of the job. We appreciate your understanding as the Center and its staff mourn, and we thank you for the outpouring of support that has come our way since this patient’s admission,” read the statement by the centre.
