Uki, an orphaned Pacific walrus calf, was rescued by the Alaska SeaLife Center and is now under the care of SeaWorld Orlando. Photo by Alaska SeaLife Center.
SeaWorld Orlando welcomed a rare Pacific walrus calf into its care earlier this month. The calf was found orphaned and abandoned on the beaches of Utqiagvik, Alaska. The Alaska SeaLife Center (ASLC) provided rehabilitative care to the calf, named Ukiaq – or Uki (pronounced “oo-kee”) for short.
After the United States Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) assessed her situation, they decided Uki would not survive if they released her back into the wild. Fortunately, SeaWorld Orlando stepped in to provide a forever home.
Photo credit: Alaska SeaLife Center.
At SeaWorld Orlando, Uki will receive expert care from staff behind the scenes. Then, once she’s ready, Uki will join the other walruses in the herd.
Dr. Joseph Gaspard, Vice President of Zoological Operations at SeaWorld Orlando, remarked on the collaborative nature of Uki’s rescue:
“From the Utqiagvik community members who first found her, to the tireless efforts of the ASLC team, and now to our family here at SeaWorld Orlando, Uki has been surrounded by people committed to giving her a second chance.”
Photo credit: SeaWorld Orlando.
To learn more about Uki, visit SeaWorld’s website and Alaska SeaLife Center’s website.
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