Round-the-clock “cuddling” is in order for a Pacific walrus calf, recently rescued from the North Slope of Alaska.
Currently under the care of the Alaska SeaLife Center (ASLC), the nearly 200-lb baby walrus, estimated to be around one month old, was spotted alone by workers about four miles inland from the Beaufort Sea, after observers saw a “walrus trail” on the tundra. It is unknown how the calf arrived inland and why it was left alone.
Walrus calves are dependent on maternal care during their first two years of life, and a calf in solitary may not have high chances of survival, the center reports.
According to the ASLC, this called for staff to follow a 24-hour care regimen for the highly tactile and social mammal. To emulate maternal care, “cuddling” is provided to help keep the calf remain calm and develop in a healthy manner.
“It isn’t often that we’re able to admit a walrus calf, but every time we do, we learn more about the species and how to care for them,” says Jane Belovarac, ASLC wildlife response curator.
The calf has started eating formula from a bottle, the center reports, which is an indication it is habituating to human care.
“We are lucky that his first night went well,” Belovarac says.
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