North American Walrus Population

Point Defiance Zoo (1.1)
Lakina F (Hybrid Pacific x Atlantic) [Boris x Arnaliaq*] (b. 05.07.2016)
Balzak M (Pacific) [Boris x Samka*] (b. 05.23.2016)

SWF (2.5)
Garfield M (Pacific) [WILD x WILD] (c. 05.1982)
Slowpoke F (Pacific) [WILD x WILD] (c. 05.15.1978)
Kaboodle F (Pacific) [Obie* x Kitkatska*] (b. 05.01.2003)
Kora F (Pacific) [Garfield x Kaboodle] (b. 07.03.2019)
Aurora F (Pacific) [WILD x WILD] (c. 05.26.1995)
Ginger F (Pacific) [Garfield x Kaboodle] (b. 06.03.2017)
Aku M (Pacific) [WILD x WILD] (c. 06.17.2017)

SWC (2.3)
ChouChou F (Pacific) [Mikku* x Takku*] (b. 05.05.2010)
Dozer M (Pacific) [Tumuk* x Illiyak*] (b. 06.21.1993)
Basilla F (Pacific) [WILD x WILD] (c. 03.26.1984)
Kulusiq F (Pacific) [WILD x WILD] (c. 05.19.1994)
Mitik M (Pacific) [WILD x WILD] (c. 07.29.2012)

Total North American Population (14)
5.9
* deceased
 
Bactrian Deer said:
You can see some construction (and for sure hear it), and it seems that things are going slow, I would believe that Ginger and Aku may come back around spring/summer
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Do you think that Indianapolis would breed Aku and Ginger with the new (hopefully expanded) exhibit?
 
Spike said:
Do you think that Indianapolis would breed Aku and Ginger with the new (hopefully expanded) exhibit?
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The walrus population in the US is non-sustainable, but I would anticipate that any animal that can be part of a cooperative breeding program between the remaining exhibitors will be a priority. With the recent death in San Diego and the import from Canada to PDZA, it is not a guarantee that Aku and Ginger will be the walrus that return to Indianapolis. There may be some other transfers involved to try to put the remaining animals that are reproductive candidates in the best possible breeding situation possible, which appears to be a more colony like structure. Rather Indianapolis will be a breeding facility or a holding facility, I do not have any information. Indianapolis has been rather quiet about the whole walrus situation since Ginger and Aku were pulled from their exhibit.
 
MidwestFan said:
The walrus population in the US is non-sustainable, but I would anticipate that any animal that can be part of a cooperative breeding program between the remaining exhibitors will be a priority. With the recent death in San Diego and the import from Canada to PDZA, it is not a guarantee that Aku and Ginger will be the walrus that return to Indianapolis. There may be some other transfers involved to try to put the remaining animals that are reproductive candidates in the best possible breeding situation possible, which appears to be a more colony like structure. Rather Indianapolis will be a breeding facility or a holding facility, I do not have any information. Indianapolis has been rather quiet about the whole walrus situation since Ginger and Aku were pulled from their exhibit.
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Currently in the US there seems to be a supply and demand issue for Walrus. I have heard that there are multiple facilities interested in housing this unique creature but very little walrus to go around. Even a walrus breeding program does not look very hopeful for us at the moment. We will most likely never see a baby out of San Diego as all the walruses are not owned by the park and therefore their management is quite difficult. Meanwhile Point Defiance has shown interest in housing a large group of breeding individuals which would allow them to become a powerhouse of walrus breeding with their expansive enclosure but currently just don’t have the population to do so. Depending on what Indy does we may see a calf born over the next five years but if they continue with just two individuals there is little hope of breeding. I am unsure what the situation is in Orlando but it seems they are at full capacity for walrus and therefore not breeding but I’m unsure why they don’t move individuals to other institutions as there is definitely the space for them at Point Defiance for example. The whole breeding program over here is quite badly managed and needs some work if these species are to continue in North American facilities. Since walrus captivity is banned in the Jane Goodall act, we are unlikely to see any future Canadian holders leaving the population without high hopes. I hope the program can get its act together and I’m wishing that with Point Defiance now taking such a high interest in this species, we can hopefully see a birth over the next decade.
 
Would it be possible or preferable for several facilities to simply bring all captive walrus together to establish a breeding colony?
 
JVM said:
Would it be possible or preferable for several facilities to simply bring all captive walrus together to establish a breeding colony?
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I doubt it. I do wonder if Ai could help as much as it did for elephants.
 
2024 Update:

Point Defiance Zoo (1.1)
Lakina F (Hybrid Pacific x Atlantic) [Boris x Arnaliaq*] (b. 05.07.2016)
Balzak M (Pacific) [Boris x Samka*] (b. 05.23.2016)

SWF (2.5)
Garfield M (Pacific) [WILD x WILD] (c. 05.1982)
Slowpoke F (Pacific) [WILD x WILD] (c. 05.15.1978)
Kaboodle F (Pacific) [Obie* x Kitkatska*] (b. 05.01.2003)
Kora F (Pacific) [Garfield x Kaboodle] (b. 07.03.2019)
Aurora F (Pacific) [WILD x WILD] (c. 05.26.1995)
Ginger F (Pacific) [Garfield x Kaboodle] (b. 06.03.2017)
Aku M (Pacific) [WILD x WILD] (c. 06.17.2017)

SWC (1.3)
ChouChou F (Pacific) [Mikku* x Takku*] (b. 05.05.2010)
Dozer M (Pacific) [Tumuk* x Illiyak*] (b. 06.21.1993)
Basilla F (Pacific) [WILD x WILD] (c. 03.26.1984)
Kulusiq F (Pacific) [WILD x WILD] (c. 05.19.1994)

Total North American Population (13)
4.9
* deceased
 
MidwestFan said:
2024 Update:

Point Defiance Zoo (1.1)
Lakina F (Hybrid Pacific x Atlantic) [Boris x Arnaliaq*] (b. 05.07.2016)
Balzak M (Pacific) [Boris x Samka*] (b. 05.23.2016)

SWF (2.5)
Garfield M (Pacific) [WILD x WILD] (c. 05.1982)
Slowpoke F (Pacific) [WILD x WILD] (c. 05.15.1978)
Kaboodle F (Pacific) [Obie* x Kitkatska*] (b. 05.01.2003)
Kora F (Pacific) [Garfield x Kaboodle] (b. 07.03.2019)
Aurora F (Pacific) [WILD x WILD] (c. 05.26.1995)
Ginger F (Pacific) [Garfield x Kaboodle] (b. 06.03.2017)
Aku M (Pacific) [WILD x WILD] (c. 06.17.2017)

SWC (1.3)
ChouChou F (Pacific) [Mikku* x Takku*] (b. 05.05.2010)
Dozer M (Pacific) [Tumuk* x Illiyak*] (b. 06.21.1993)
Basilla F (Pacific) [WILD x WILD] (c. 03.26.1984)
Kulusiq F (Pacific) [WILD x WILD] (c. 05.19.1994)

Total North American Population (13)
4.9
* deceased
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For those who aren't sure what they mean, SWF is SeaWorld Florida (Orlando) and SWC is SeaWorld California (San Diego).
 
MidwestFan said:
2024 Update:

Point Defiance Zoo (1.1)
Lakina F (Hybrid Pacific x Atlantic) [Boris x Arnaliaq*] (b. 05.07.2016)
Balzak M (Pacific) [Boris x Samka*] (b. 05.23.2016)

SWF (2.5)
Garfield M (Pacific) [WILD x WILD] (c. 05.1982)
Slowpoke F (Pacific) [WILD x WILD] (c. 05.15.1978)
Kaboodle F (Pacific) [Obie* x Kitkatska*] (b. 05.01.2003)
Kora F (Pacific) [Garfield x Kaboodle] (b. 07.03.2019)
Aurora F (Pacific) [WILD x WILD] (c. 05.26.1995)
Ginger F (Pacific) [Garfield x Kaboodle] (b. 06.03.2017)
Aku M (Pacific) [WILD x WILD] (c. 06.17.2017)

SWC (1.3)
ChouChou F (Pacific) [Mikku* x Takku*] (b. 05.05.2010)
Dozer M (Pacific) [Tumuk* x Illiyak*] (b. 06.21.1993)
Basilla F (Pacific) [WILD x WILD] (c. 03.26.1984)
Kulusiq F (Pacific) [WILD x WILD] (c. 05.19.1994)

Total North American Population (13)
4.9
* deceased
Click to expand...
Has Boris passed away?
 
Walrus Population Updates
A female walrus at SeaWorld Orlando is pregnant, it is suspected to be Aurora as it is confirmed that Kaboodle is not pregnant and Aku is not sexually mature yet ruling out the other cows.

Orlando also recently received the permits to expand the walrus habitat into the current Harbor Seal (Former Polar Bear enclosure) allowing for twice the amount of space for the walrus however construction has not started and it is unknown when this project will be carried out.

Aku and Ginger will be staying at SeaWorld Orlando for the time being as construction on their enclosure at the Indianapolis Zoo will not be starting until after the Chimpanzee enclosure is finished (confirmed through email to the zoo).

Before the COVID 19 pandemic SeaWorld San Diego attempted to import a female walrus to expand the herd in San Diego but since then the move was canceled the walrus in question was later was transferred to SeaWorld Abu Dhabi in 2023. Recently rumors have been going around of San Diego wanting to import another walrus from Japan but nothing has been confirmed.

As male walrus Balzak is growing older he is starting to show early stages of breeding behavior according to zookeepers at Point Defiance.

Anyone know if the Red River or North Carolina Zoo is still interested in adding walrus to their collection in the future?
 
Jonathan Petersson said:
Aku and Ginger will be staying at SeaWorld Orlando for the time being as construction on their enclosure at the Indianapolis Zoo will not be starting until after the Chimpanzee enclosure is finished (confirmed through email to the zoo).
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Small note, Aku and Ginger were moved in 2022 and have been at Orlando ever since -- work on the walrus habitat at Indianapolis also started in late 2022 or early 2023 although it may not be completed until after the other projects.
 
Jonathan Petersson said:
Aku and Ginger will be staying at SeaWorld Orlando for the time being as construction on their enclosure at the Indianapolis Zoo will not be starting until after the Chimpanzee enclosure is finished (confirmed through email to the zoo)
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Construction already started on their habitat, I think that construction will not continue until the chimpanzee habitats are completed
 
Bactrian Deer said:
Construction already started on their habitat, I think that construction will not continue until the chimpanzee habitats are completed
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csartie said:
Small note, Aku and Ginger were moved in 2022 and have been at Orlando ever since -- work on the walrus habitat at Indianapolis also started in late 2022 or early 2023 although it may not be completed until after the other projects.
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Thank you both for the correction! Unsure why the zoo stated otherwise in their email but I'm glad that they are showing some progress with the habitat.
 
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