A walrus pup that was saved from a frozen Alaskan oil field has tragically died due to complications from malnutrition, despite continuous rescue efforts and round-the-clock care provided by the Alaska SeaLife Center.
In a statement released on Friday, the center expressed the challenges of wildlife rescue, acknowledging the unpredictable nature of these situations and the potential for great loss. It’s a heartbreaking reality for those dedicated to animal welfare.
The 150-pound walrus calf was discovered alone and in a state of malnutrition and dehydration, far from the Beaufort Sea and without any adult walruses nearby. This isolation was a clear indication of trouble for wildlife rescue workers, as young walruses are typically constantly cared for by their mothers during the first two years of their lives.
After being airlifted 700 miles, the orphaned pup was admitted to the Wildlife Response Program at the Alaska SeaLife Center in Seward, where a dedicated team organized a 24/7 rotation to ensure the walrus never went without care. This included bottle-feedings and constant physical contact from human caretakers who provided cuddles and comfort during the pup’s final days.
Finding an orphaned walrus pup is incredibly rare, with the rescue program only receiving around 10 walruses in the past 25 years, according to Carrie Goertz, the veterinarian and director of animal health at the center. Given the highly social nature of these animals in the wild, where they spend most of their time lying together, rescuers sought to replicate those conditions as much as possible by providing human companionship and snuggles for the pup.
Walrus pup rescued in Alaska needs 24/7 human cuddling
Despite the tireless efforts of the rescue teams, the young walrus suffered from nutrient malabsorption, leading to other complications such as hypoglycemia and gastrointestinal problems. Unfortunately, these conditions proved fatal for the pup in its final days, as stated by the center.
In their statement, the center acknowledged the dedication and continuous critical care provided by their animal care teams, who never left the pup’s side. A necropsy will be conducted by a veterinarian to further investigate the cause of death.
