North American Walrus Population

MidwestFan

MidwestFan

Well-Known Member
10+ year member
Indianapolis Zoo (1.1)
Ginger F (Pacific) [Garfield x Kaboodle]
Aku M (Pacific) [WILD x WILD]

Point Defiance Zoo (1.1)
Lakina F (Hybrid Pacific x Atlantic) [Boris x Arnaliaq]
Balzak M (Pacific) [Boris x Samka]

SWF (1.4)
Garfield M (Pacific) [WILD x WILD]
Slowpoke F (Atlantic) [WILD x WILD]
Kaboodle F (Pacific) [Obie x Kitkatska]
Kora F (Pacific) [Garfield x Kaboodle]
Aurora F (Pacific) [WILD x WILD]

SWC (2.3)
ChouChou F (Atlantic) [Mikku x Takku]
Dozer M (Pacific) [Tumuk x Illiyak]
Basilla F (Pacific) [WILD x WILD]
Kulusiq F (Pacific) [WILD x WILD]
Mitik M (Pacific) [WILD x WILD]

Marineland Canada (1.1)
Smooshi F (Pacific) [WILD x WILD]
Koyuk M (Pacific) [Apollo x Smooshi]

Aquarium du Quebec (1.0)
Boris M (Pacific) [WILD x WILD]

Total North American Population (17)
7.10

Notes:
1) Aquarium du Quebec announced it will no longer exhibit walrus and has transferred 2 to Point Defiance Zoo. The remaining walrus, Boris, was to be transferred by the end of the year, but I have not seen or heard of this transfer.
2) Marineland Canada announced that they also will no longer exhibit walrus, which will end all walrus exhibits in Canada assuming they transfer out of the country. There has not been an announcement where or when their remaining 2 walrus will transfer.
3) I honestly thought that this thread already existed, but I searched and was not able to find one. If it does, a moderator can delete this one.
4) The best resource for captive walrus information worldwide is the Walrus Network: Walrus Network
 
Aquarium du Quebec transferred their last walrus (Boris) to the new park, SeaWorld Abu Dhabi. The article states he will live with other walrus. Knowing that Marineland Canada is supposed to send out their two remaining walrus by end of March, and no permits seem to have been filed to import to the US, I would not be surprised if Smooshi and Koyuk were transferred to Abu Dhabi as well.

https://www.tvanouvelles.ca/2023/03/01/aquarium-du-quebec-boris-est-arrive-a-abu-dhabi
 
I saw a report online that Ginger and Aku may have been transferred to SeaWorld Orlando while Indianapolis Zoo works on their walrus exhibit. I have not been able to confirm that information. Once I can confirm that, and where Marineland Canada sends their walrus, I will update the North America population list.
 
MidwestFan said:
Indianapolis Zoo (1.1)
Ginger F (Pacific) [Garfield x Kaboodle]
Aku M (Pacific) [WILD x WILD]

Point Defiance Zoo (1.1)
Lakina F (Hybrid Pacific x Atlantic) [Boris x Arnaliaq]
Balzak M (Pacific) [Boris x Samka]

SWF (1.4)
Garfield M (Pacific) [WILD x WILD]
Slowpoke F (Atlantic) [WILD x WILD]
Kaboodle F (Pacific) [Obie x Kitkatska]
Kora F (Pacific) [Garfield x Kaboodle]
Aurora F (Pacific) [WILD x WILD]

SWC (2.3)
ChouChou F (Atlantic) [Mikku x Takku]
Dozer M (Pacific) [Tumuk x Illiyak]
Basilla F (Pacific) [WILD x WILD]
Kulusiq F (Pacific) [WILD x WILD]
Mitik M (Pacific) [WILD x WILD]

Marineland Canada (1.1)
Smooshi F (Pacific) [WILD x WILD]
Koyuk M (Pacific) [Apollo x Smooshi]

Aquarium du Quebec (1.0)
Boris M (Pacific) [WILD x WILD]

Total North American Population (17)
7.10

Notes:
1) Aquarium du Quebec announced it will no longer exhibit walrus and has transferred 2 to Point Defiance Zoo. The remaining walrus, Boris, was to be transferred by the end of the year, but I have not seen or heard of this transfer.
2) Marineland Canada announced that they also will no longer exhibit walrus, which will end all walrus exhibits in Canada assuming they transfer out of the country. There has not been an announcement where or when their remaining 2 walrus will transfer.
3) I honestly thought that this thread already existed, but I searched and was not able to find one. If it does, a moderator can delete this one.
4) The best resource for captive walrus information worldwide is the Walrus Network: Walrus Network
Click to expand...

Does Walrus Network list subspecies for the walruses? I’m trying to figure out if any of the walruses I saw in Japan were Atlantic subspecies.
 
RatioTile said:
Does Walrus Network list subspecies for the walruses? I’m trying to figure out if any of the walruses I saw in Japan were Atlantic subspecies.
Click to expand...
Yes, if it is known which subspecies it is, it is listed. For walrus in Japan, it doesn't appear to have sub-species listed, probably unknown or unable to confirm.

Atlantic walrus (O. r. rosmarus)
Pacific walrus (O. r. divergens)
 
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MidwestFan said:
Yes, if it is known which subspecies it is, it is listed. For walrus in Japan, it doesn't appear to have sub-species listed, probably unknown or unable to confirm.

Atlantic walrus (O. r. rosmarus)
Pacific walrus (O. r. divergens)
Click to expand...

Is this walrus descended from walruses at Japanese Aquariums? ChouChou F (Atlantic) [Mikku x Takku]? I do remember seeing a Takku at Kamogawa SeaWorld who has since passed away, but does this imply he was an Atlantic walrus?
 
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RatioTile said:
Is this walrus descended from walruses at Japanese Aquariums? ChouChou F (Atlantic) [Mikku x Takku]? I do remember seeing a Takku at Kamogawa SeaWorld who has since passed away, but does this imply he was an Atlantic walrus?
Click to expand...
ChouChou was born at Kamogawa SeaWorld and is a calf from Mikku x Takku. You are correct that Takku is deceased, as is Mikku. I was trying to go back and find my reference as to why I have ChouChou listed as Atlantic. Walrus Network just has ChouChou listed as O. rosmarus. Odobenus rosmarus is the scientific name for the walrus and the 3 subtypes are further identified as:
Atlantic walrus (O. r. rosmarus)
Pacific walrus (O. r. divergens)
Laptev walrus (O. r. laptevi)

@csartie may have some additional information as well as to if we actually know if ChouChou is Atlantic.
 
The Indianapolis Zoo’s walrus’ are in SWO. They are getting walrus (don’t know if it is Aku/Ginger or wild), renovations are present, I don’t know when they will finish. They have boarded the whole habitat up.
 
MidwestFan said:
ChouChou was born at Kamogawa SeaWorld and is a calf from Mikku x Takku. You are correct that Takku is deceased, as is Mikku. I was trying to go back and find my reference as to why I have ChouChou listed as Atlantic. Walrus Network just has ChouChou listed as O. rosmarus. Odobenus rosmarus is the scientific name for the walrus and the 3 subtypes are further identified as:
Atlantic walrus (O. r. rosmarus)
Pacific walrus (O. r. divergens)
Laptev walrus (O. r. laptevi)

@csartie may have some additional information as well as to if we actually know if ChouChou is Atlantic.
Click to expand...

Sorry, I just saw this!! all captive walruses are Pacific, with the sole exception of Lakina at Point Defiance who's an intraspecific hybrid (O. r. divergens x rosmarus)

The last full Atlantic walruses died in 2020 (Arnaliaq at Aquarium du Quebec, mother of Lakina) and 2022 (Sgata-Neseyka at Izhevsk Zoo)
 
Point Defiance Zoo (1.1)
Lakina F (Hybrid Pacific x Atlantic) [Boris x Arnaliaq*]
Balzak M (Pacific) [Boris x Samka*]

SWF (2.5)
Garfield M (Pacific) [WILD x WILD]
Slowpoke F (Atlantic) [WILD x WILD]
Kaboodle F (Pacific) [Obie* x Kitkatska*]
Kora F (Pacific) [Garfield x Kaboodle]
Aurora F (Pacific) [WILD x WILD]
Ginger F (Pacific) [Garfield x Kaboodle]
Aku M (Pacific) [WILD x WILD]

SWC (2.3)
ChouChou F (Pacific) [Mikku* x Takku*]
Dozer M (Pacific) [Tumuk* x Illiyak*]
Basilla F (Pacific) [WILD x WILD]
Kulusiq F (Pacific) [WILD x WILD]
Mitik M (Pacific) [WILD x WILD]

Total North American Population (14)
5.9

* deceased
 
MidwestFan said:
Point Defiance Zoo (1.1)
Lakina F (Hybrid Pacific x Atlantic) [Boris x Arnaliaq*]
Balzak M (Pacific) [Boris x Samka*]

SWF (2.5)
Garfield M (Pacific) [WILD x WILD]
Slowpoke F (Atlantic) [WILD x WILD]
Kaboodle F (Pacific) [Obie* x Kitkatska*]
Kora F (Pacific) [Garfield x Kaboodle]
Aurora F (Pacific) [WILD x WILD]
Ginger F (Pacific) [Garfield x Kaboodle]
Aku M (Pacific) [WILD x WILD]

SWC (2.3)
ChouChou F (Pacific) [Mikku* x Takku*]
Dozer M (Pacific) [Tumuk* x Illiyak*]
Basilla F (Pacific) [WILD x WILD]
Kulusiq F (Pacific) [WILD x WILD]
Mitik M (Pacific) [WILD x WILD]

Total North American Population (14)
5.9

* deceased
Click to expand...

Another calf or two sooner than later would certainly be good - though are there any facilities that would be interested in walrus should the population chance to find a footing? Indianapolis seems committed to having their duo return, perchance Pittsburgh as an elephant seal replacement?
 
Brookfield might be able to house them again in theory I would think, but I'm a little doubtful they would take them on again. It's unfortunate, as they were one of the zoo's most iconic species historically. I've never heard why they left.
 
Great Argus said:
Another calf or two sooner than later would certainly be good - though are there any facilities that would be interested in walrus should the population chance to find a footing? Indianapolis seems committed to having their duo return, perchance Pittsburgh as an elephant seal replacement?
Click to expand...
While it is extremely unlikely, the Minnesota Zoo certainly has the facilities to house a few. This could be an option once Ola the Hawaiian monk seal passes.
 
MidwestFan said:
Point Defiance Zoo (1.1)
Lakina F (Hybrid Pacific x Atlantic) [Boris x Arnaliaq*]
Balzak M (Pacific) [Boris x Samka*]

SWF (2.5)
Garfield M (Pacific) [WILD x WILD]
Slowpoke F (Atlantic) [WILD x WILD]
Kaboodle F (Pacific) [Obie* x Kitkatska*]
Kora F (Pacific) [Garfield x Kaboodle]
Aurora F (Pacific) [WILD x WILD]
Ginger F (Pacific) [Garfield x Kaboodle]
Aku M (Pacific) [WILD x WILD]

SWC (2.3)
ChouChou F (Pacific) [Mikku* x Takku*]
Dozer M (Pacific) [Tumuk* x Illiyak*]
Basilla F (Pacific) [WILD x WILD]
Kulusiq F (Pacific) [WILD x WILD]
Mitik M (Pacific) [WILD x WILD]

Total North American Population (14)
5.9

* deceased
Click to expand...
If they're unknown, then that's fine, but ages/dates of birth is usually a good thing to add to these kinds of threads.
 
Neil chace said:
If they're unknown, then that's fine, but ages/dates of birth is usually a good thing to add to these kinds of threads.
Click to expand...
Will provide with next update.

wild boar said:
While it is extremely unlikely, the Minnesota Zoo certainly has the facilities to house a few. This could be an option once Ola the Hawaiian monk seal passes.
Click to expand...
This was floated as an option after the zoo decided not to house dolphins any longer. However, I think having enough animals in the US population has been the barrier. And to promote breeding in a more naturalistic way, it appears that walrus may breed better in captivity in larger colonies. So, until we can sustain a population, I suspect we will not see expansion of facilities housing the species.
 
MidwestFan said:
This was floated as an option after the zoo decided not to house dolphins any longer. However, I think having enough animals in the US population has been the barrier. And to promote breeding in a more naturalistic way, it appears that walrus may breed better in captivity in larger colonies. So, until we can sustain a population, I suspect we will not see expansion of facilities housing the species.
Click to expand...
The Minnesota Zoo could probably house four, if only the walkway could be expanded so that it hangs over the main pool by about a yard. None of the extensive renovations proposed would have been necessary if this was done.
 
Alaska SeaLife Center (1.0)
UNKNOWN M (Pacific) [WILD x WILD] (c. 07.2023)

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 (Atlantic) [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 (15)
6.9

* deceased
 
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