Rescued baby walrus that needed constant cuddles has died – ‘Heartbroken’

Sadly, a baby walrus, which was saved from an oil field in Alaska, has passed away, despite needing constant affection. It was estimated to be approximately one month in age.

“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,” the Alaska SeaLife Center (ASLC) wrote in its statement on Friday.

The calf, discovered on Alaska’s North Slope some miles away from the sea, had suffered from “a number of serious health concerns,” that consisted of nutrient malabsorption, ASLC noted.

The baby, who had brown, wrinkled skin, faced difficulties with hypoglycemia and gastrointestinal issues before succumbing to death, according to the animal health department head of the organization.

“Though our animal care teams worked tirelessly to provide round-the-clock critical care treatments, never leaving his side, the calf ultimately succumbed to his condition,” ASLC added.

Juvenile walruses rely on their mothers during the initial couple of years of existence.

ASLC, situated in Seward, nourished the walrus through a bottle while maintaining an almost continuous physical connection.

A medical inspection of its demise is scheduled in the upcoming days.

“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,” ASLC mentioned saddened by the situation.

The precise reason behind the walrus being discovered approximately four miles away from the Beaufort Sea in Alaska’s northernmost region remains uncertain. There were no other walruses found in close proximity to the area.

He was the initial walrus in four years to join the ASLC, marking a significant milestone as only the 10th walrus in its 25-year existence.

A walrus that had been saved in Alaska was transported to the New York Aquarium in Brooklyn in 2012 to undergo a 15-week-long rehabilitation process.

Mitik, along with two other walruses named Nuka, aged 30, and Kulu, aged 17, joined the Coney Island aquarium.