ORLANDO, Fla. – Move over Moo Deng the pygmy hippo, there’s another adorable aquatic mammal that has a face worth gushing over.
SeaWorld Orlando announced the newest addition to its park on Wednesday. Ukiaq — a rare rescued Pacific walrus calf from the Alaska SeaLife Center (ASLC) — is now under the expert care of the park’s renowned animal care specialists.
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Ukiaq translates to “autumn” in the language of the Iñupiaq people who live in the area of northern Alaska where she was first found in July. Ukiaq — or Uki (pronounced “oo-kee”) — brings the Alaskan spirit with her to Orlando, honoring the rich culture and traditions of the Alaskan Native peoples.
Uki arrived at SeaWorld Orlando on Sept. 18 after receiving life-saving rehabilitative care from the ASLC and being deemed non-releasable by the United States Fish & Wildlife Service. SeaWorld Orlando was the chosen home for the 220-pound calf because of the staff’s experience with walrus care, and the overall walrus herd at SeaWorld Orlando allows for the best nurturing environment for her overall care and development, including a female walrus that is capable of acting as a surrogate to Uki.
“Uki’s journey to SeaWorld Orlando is only the beginning of her new chapter. Our team is providing dedicated, 24/7 care to ensure her transition is as smooth as possible,” said Dr. Joseph Gaspard, Vice President of Zoological Operations at SeaWorld Orlando. “We want to give her time to settle into her new home, and once she’s ready, guests will have the unique opportunity to meet this extraordinary calf and learn more about our conservation efforts in the Arctic region.”
Uki won’t be greeting guests in her habitat just yet as she will spend time acclimating to her new surroundings and receiving the round-the-clock care necessary to support her growth and well-being.
As she grows stronger in her new home, SeaWorld says Uki will play an essential role as an ambassador for her species, educating the public on the challenges Pacific walruses face in the wild.
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