Annautaq, an orphaned 5-month-old Pacific walrus rescued on an Alaska beach, has arrived at SeaWorld Orlando. The animal cannot return to the wild, so Florida will be his new home.
The young male was found in September on a remote beach near Point Lay, on Alaska’s Arctic coast. He was alone, tucked between two dead adult walruses; high waves had pushed the rest of the herd away. He was found by biologist Tony Fischbach of the U.S. Geological Survey and intern Violet Anniskett, who named him after her father.
Annautaq was first taken to the Alaska SeaLife Center in Seward. He weighed about 200 pounds at the time. Once his condition stabilized, he flew across the continent to Orlando.
He is now in a 30-day quarantine, where he is being bottle-fed and remains under the care of veterinarians. Afterward, he will gradually be introduced to the walruses already living at the park: Garfield, Kaboodle and Uki. According to curator Jim Kinsler, the herd is a “promising place for him to learn, build relationships and grow.”
When will visitors be able to see Annautaq? No date has been set yet. Animal caretakers will decide.
Source: SeaWorld Orlando, Alaska SeaLife Center, ClickOrlando, Fox 35 Orlando
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Source: Słoneczne Radio
