‘Cuddling’ is just what the doctor ordered for a 200-pound walrus calf rescued this week in Alaska

A 200-pound walrus calf, weighing around 90 kilograms, was discovered alone and far from the ocean on Alaska’s North Slope. To save the one-month-old baby’s life, animal welfare workers are providing constant care, including bottle feeding and non-stop cuddling. The male Pacific walrus, yet to be named, was found dehydrated and potentially fighting an infection. He was transported over 700 miles from the North Slope to Seward, where the Alaska SeaLife Center is located.

To replicate the care a calf would receive from its mother, the walrus is being cuddled round-the-clock to keep him calm and support his development. The caring staff at the center is ensuring he has the option to lean against a warm body, something he has been taking advantage of regularly.

The young walrus was discovered about 4 miles inland from the Beaufort Sea, but it remains uncertain how he ended up there. No adult walruses were seen nearby, raising concerns about his ability to survive without assistance.

The Pacific walrus’s natural range includes the northern Bering and Chukchi seas, but they are occasionally spotted in areas like the Beaufort Sea to the northeast.

The Alaska SeaLife Center, in its 25-year history, has only cared for 10 walruses, making this rescue particularly rare. The calf is already consuming formula from a bottle and will require 24-hour care for several weeks, depending on his progress, appetite, and medical condition.

To facilitate the transport to Seward, ConocoPhillips Alaska, a major oil producer in the region, offered the use of a company plane.

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More about Walrus calf

• Alaska SeaLife Center
• Alaska Department of Fish and Game
• Pacific walrus information
• ConocoPhillips Alaska