A five-month-old male Pacific walrus calf named Annautaq has been transported from Alaska to SeaWorld Orlando after being rescued on a remote beach in northern Alaska. The 220-pound orphan was discovered by wildlife researchers after his herd departed during heavy surf, leaving him vulnerable to scavengers. After specialized rehabilitation at the Alaska SeaLife Center, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service determined he could not be released into the wild due to his dependence on maternal care for survival skills. Annautaq now receives around-the-clock veterinary attention and up to six daily bottle feedings with a high-fat formula designed to mimic natural walrus milk. He is currently undergoing a 30-day quarantine period before being introduced to SeaWorld Orlando’s existing walrus herd, which includes Uki, Kaboodle, and Garfield. This rescue highlights the importance of specialized marine mammal rehabilitation facilities in Alaska and SeaWorld’s ongoing commitment to animal welfare.
Key Points:
- Annautaq is a five-month-old male Pacific walrus calf weighing approximately 220 pounds who was rescued on a remote beach in northern Alaska.
- The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service determined Annautaq could not be released into the wild because Pacific walruses rely solely on their mothers’ milk for their first year of life.
- Annautaq traveled 4,000 miles from Alaska to Florida with assistance from FedEx and Orlando International Airport.
- At SeaWorld Orlando, Annautaq receives up to six bottle feedings a day using a specialized high-fat milk formula developed by the park’s veterinary teams.
- SeaWorld Orlando is one of only four U.S. institutions currently capable of housing walruses.