When you think of an aquarium setting, you may envision fish, crustaceans, and maybe a few dolphins or seals. Now, the New York Aquarium has welcomed a new addition: an orphaned walrus calf named Mitik. Just fifteen weeks old when he was rescued, the little walrus is settling into his new home comfortably, and even managed to ride out hurricane Sandy successfully. Here’s his story.
A Walrus Alone
Imagine being a young walrus, all alone in the cold ocean. That’s what happened to Mitik. Some concerned fishermen had seen a group of migratory walruses spending time on ice floes off Barrow, Alaska. When they spotted the little walrus all alone, it was evident that he had been left behind. Without human intervention, the walrus calf would starve to death or be eaten by predatory orcas. Walruses nurse their young for more than a year before weaning them, and as this walrus appeared to be just four to six weeks old when he was discovered, there was no possibility that he could survive on his own.
After fish and game officials carefully observed the young walrus to ensure he truly was on his own, they picked him up and transported him to the SeaLife Center, where he spent time recovering from illness. Though he was weak at first, Mitik soon learned to drink greedily from a bottle, and after just a short time, he began gaining weight at the rate of about a pound per day.
New York’s Walrus Family
New York Aquarium decided to adopt Mitik since Nuka, the oldest walrus living there, is 30 years old. Her companion, Kulu, is 17 years old; as a walrus’s life expectancy is just about 30 years, the aquarium needed to obtain a third walrus to ensure none of the animals would be alone when the inevitable happens. Right now, both Kulu and Nuka are healthy. The two females will not meet Mitik until mid to late 2013, since he’ll need to continue bottle-feedings until he is large enough to hold his own in the company of the two older walruses.
While Mitik weighed just under 300 pounds in December 2012, Nuka weighs 1,850 pounds and Kulu weighs in at 1,278 pounds. Walruses reach full maturity at age seven or so, but do not normally breed until they reach age fifteen. The aquarium has no plans to mate Mitik and Kulu, although it is possible that nature may take its course.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, the New York Aquarium was closed as it suffered extensive damage, but the rebuilding is complete and they are now open. Thanks to the aquarium’s dedicated staff, the walruses and many other animals living there managed to make it through the storm, and they continue to thrive as the facilities are once again made safe for visitors.
Once this little walrus grows to maturity, he will weigh as much as 4,400 pounds, and he could grow to a length of as much as about sixteen feet. His tusks will develop, ultimately growing to a length of about three feet. While it’s clear that Mitik has a long road ahead of him, the dedication and care New York Aquarium is providing has cleared the way for a healthy future. Thanks to sharp-eyed fishermen, dedicated wildlife professionals, and the people of New York, Mitik will never be alone again.