ORLANDO, Fla. – SeaWorld Orlando has added another rescued Pacific walrus calf to its growing herd.
The theme park announced Wednesday the arrival of Annautaq (pronounced “ah-now-tuq”), a rescued five-month-old Pacific walrus calf found alone on a remote beach in northern Alaska.
Weighing approximately 220 pounds, Annautaq is now receiving around-the-clock care from SeaWorld Orlando’s animal care and veterinary team — one of only four U.S. institutions currently capable of housing walruses.
Annautaq’s name, meaning “axe” in Iñupiaq, was given by Violet Anniskett, a wildlife research intern and local community member who helped discover the calf alongside U.S. Geological Survey scientist Tony Fischbach. The pair found him hiding between the remains of two adult walruses, already being targeted by scavenging birds, according to a news release.
Annautaq’s rescue in Alaska. (United Parks & Resorts)
After several days of on-site care, community support and coordination with federal wildlife officials, Annautaq was flown to the Alaska SeaLife Center in Seward for intensive rehabilitation. SeaWorld Orlando dispatched its animal care and veterinary staff to Alaska to assist and prepare him for his 4,000-mile journey to Florida.
“Annautaq’s story shows why having specialized marine mammal rehabilitation capacity in Alaska is so important,” said Jane Belovarac, wildlife response curator at the Alaska SeaLife Center.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ultimately deemed Annautaq non-releasable, citing Pacific walruses’ complete dependence on their mothers during the first year of life.
Annautaq at SeaWorld Orlando (United Parks & Resorts)
SeaWorld Orlando is well known for its walrus care — a reputation built in part by its existing herd: Garfield, 44, who was himself rescued as an orphaned calf and hand-raised at the park; Kaboodle, 23, an experienced surrogate mother; and Uki, 2, a rescued Pacific walrus calf who arrived from the Alaska SeaLife Center just two years ago under similar circumstances.
Annautaq is currently in a 30-day quarantine, receiving up to six bottle feedings daily of a specialized high-fat milk formula developed by SeaWorld’s own veterinary team. Public viewing and herd introductions will be determined by his animal care team. In the meantime, guests can visit the park’s resident walrus herd at the Expedition Odyssey habitat.
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