Walrus and their tusks

[Jurek7]

I noticed that most walrus in zoos have no tusks. However, some, like the late Antje in Hamburg, kept them.

What is the secret behind some zoos keeping tusks of their walruses?

Is lack of tusks sufficiently big health shock for an animal that it prevents zoo walruses from breeding? Or a diet (fish vs molluscs)?

 

[Baldur]

Somewhere I heard that Hagenbeck's pool had sides made somehow which enabled the late wonderful Antje (and other walruses they had before her) to get up from the water without damaging the tusks.

Perhaps if the Hagenbeck pool allowed the Walrus to climb out without having to use their tusks as 'hooks' which would help stop them becoming worn down?

 

[DDcorvus]

And to answer your question on breeding: Harderwijk (Netherlands) has bred with their walruses while they have no tusks.

 

[KEEPER]

In l 'Oceanografic Valencia 1 walrus (the male?) have tusks the other 4 not.