Not just expressed, they applied for the permit to do so last year. But USFWS has apparently ignored it. See below:
Walrus currently in captivity
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Not just expressed, they applied for the permit to do so last year. But USFWS has apparently ignored it. See below:
If it’s just one I don’t think it would have much bearing on creating a large breeding group but there is always a chance.
Polar bear fan
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You’re right, but it would bring them up to three breeding females, including two sisters with decades of pups ahead them, as well as two unrelated males who should produce calves with one another’s offspring. That being said does anyone know why Dozer is yet to produce a single calf. Kulu and Basa are proven and Chouchou is young. Plus Joan when he was in Point Defiance was prime breeding age. He’s had so many cows and so many years to breed I don’t understand his lack of calves.
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Yeah, but it's new genes into our struggling population. If we can get it over here.
Polar bear fan
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Actually, she is Sea World San Diego Chouchou’s full sister, so not new genes, but still an incredibly important breeding cow all the same.
I really hope Lilou eventually makes her way into the US and SWSD becomes a major walrus breeder. The population desperately needs at least one facility that’s consistently breeding successfully. I would love to see a large group with multiple calves at SWSD, especially since it’s so close to home! Also, does anyone know the last time a surviving pup was born at SWSD?
The single walrus habitat has the capacity for 10 bulls or 12 cows, or a combination thereof.
There's definitely a a lot of push for bringing in surplus animals from overseas so I believe we'll eventually see more permits being filed. There's also the herd coming to SeaWorld's Abu Dhabi park which could produce animals that are brought into the AZA population, though I'm still unclear if their herd will be owned by Miral or SeaWorld if they don't come from the US.
The last surviving pup was Kaboodle (2003)!
Wow, that's a lot! I don't remember their exhibit seeming all that large when I visited, certainly not for up to a dozen walruses!
Thats at most I believe. But I do agree their exhibit isn’t big enough for 12 animals.
I agree that I personally feel the exhibit is too small for that many. I also don't think that number accounts for management of the animals -- ie, I'm sure Orlando has a similarly large capacity, but realistically with some animals needing to be kept from others at times they seem to have a cutoff of about ~4 walruses.
For example, with only breeding pair Garfield and Kaboodle being at the park with handraised calves Ginger and Aku, the kiddos were ultimately kept in what used to be the polar bear holding for space and management reasons, and then they had to move out to Sea Lion & Otter holding before ultimately leaving the park to Indianapolis.
So while I trust that the professionals who had a hand in the design of San Diego's habitat ensured that it does indeed meet the spacial and filtration requirements for ~10 or so animals, meaning that it objectively can hold that number, it's also a circumstantial thing. Like you said, definitely a maximum number. Still absolutely 100% accurate, but a maximum for a perfect scenario nonetheless.
I would say a healthy maximum for SeaWorld San Diego would be 6 or 7. I say that not having experience in walrus care so it very well could be different.
I also want to say this is wrong, expansion to the east and south is impossible but I completely ignored the west. West of Wild Arctic is the Nautilus amphitheater and between the theater and Wild Arctic is a path but also an abandoned animal care center. If SeaWorld was to demolish the old animal care center (and turn it into a section of the main path) they would have ample space for a Wild Arctic expansion.
I am doing this on my phone so please excuse the poor quality:
As you can see the new path would now be directly on the side of Nautilus Amphitheater allowing for new exhibit and bts space (black) and new building space (blue). It obviously isn't a lot but if you move the animal encounter prep area and parking lot to the back of the space there should be enough for a larger walrus exhibit or a new Sea Otter exhibit and refurbished polar bear exhibit fitted for walruses.
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Yeah, it's possible. Whether they'd do an actual expansion though, I don't know. I feel they'd be more likely to do a revamp.
(Btw, you can see a Beluga in that snapshot
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Actually, the chances of SeaWorld expanding for more Polar Bear space to hold them again is probably more likely than expanding for walrus breeding. But you're right the chances of SeaWorld actually expanding Wild Arctic are slim.Yeah, it's possible. Whether they'd do an actual expansion though, I don't know. I feel they'd be more likely to do a revamp.
(Btw, you can see a Beluga in that snapshot
Really? The polar bear population in NA is not doing very well right now and there are not enough bears at the moment for SWSD to receive some again. Maybe in a decade from now but most definitely not now. I hope they move ahead with renovating/expanding the area and relaunch their walrus breeding program and don't wait on acquiring a new polar bear.
Big disagree there. The exhibit SW has for polar bears is extremely outdated at this point, beyond the point where just making it bigger will help.
I've always theorized that it would be one option for SW to possibly utilize the space the killer whale habitat currently sits on to create a modern polar bear habitat with multiple exhibit spaces and natural substrate, etc. I do think it's possible that as the killer whales phase out over the years the remaining animals may potentially be moved to the Texas park to keep them with their own species for as long as possible, making a polar bear habitat more likely assuming they wouldn't have to wait 30+ years to acquire them (not sure where the polar bear population will be at that point considering how they're completely failing to breed sustainably at all...). It would fit the theme of the area, particularly with the new coaster and theming changes in the area that have been made for that.
I would love to see a new Wild Arctic, I think everyone would. I don't think it's entirely unfeasible, there are definitely spaces to send the walruses and seals out on loan until construction could be completed. I'm sure there would be spaces for the belugas as well. Maybe SeaWorld will get around to it before it's too late to be used for anything but seals, lol.
I can’t remember if it’s alive or not but SeaWorld should still have a bear they loaned to Pittsburgh.
I’m not saying they should bring polar bears back, they should never bring polar bears back to Wild Arctic. The question is if they will and I fully believe they would if they expanded the polar bear exhibit.
Also as the orca population dwindles down SeaWorld SD is probably where the remaining orcas will go because it has the most animals, most space, and is the most open air.
An updated Wild Arctic is entirely feasible, the problem is space. With Mako to the South and East, no expansion room in the North, and very little room in the west; the problem of a Wild Arctic update is what would they do?
Yes, Snowflake is still alive. Can killer whales even go to San Diego, considering the bill there? I'm fairly certain no new animals can be brought in? Correct me if wrong.
Like @csartie said Snowflake is still alive but I think she may stay at Pittsburgh till her death as she is getting up there in age.
Yes, that is correct. No breeding or importing other orcas into the state. I don't think it's the same for Orlando and San Antonio though, they can still transfer between each other I'm pretty sure but no breeding there either of course.
Polar bear fan
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Do you even think they own Snowflake still? She was only in Pittsburgh for breeding and the male left earlier this year. If San Diego still owns her then I would say there is a good chance of her returning. Especially since Pittsburgh’s exhibit doesn’t seem much better. Remodeling the polar bear exhibit for walrus would be a much better use of the space for all involved parties.
This cannot happen. The orcas at SeaWorld SD are stuck there until the die, they cannot be transferred out and none can be transferred in. Only way that would happen is if the ruling is overturned. Stupid AR activists.