Moo Deng is so final 12 months.
The latest cutie-patootie warming as much as steal the social media highlight is a uncommon orphaned Pacific walrus calf named Ukiaq — affectionately referred to as “Uki” — rescued from the Arctic Ocean after being deserted by her herd.
The courageous woman was simply weeks outdated when she was discovered dehydrated, malnourished and lined in exterior wounds — close to the distant village of Utqiagvik, Alaska, final July.
After being cared for extensively by specialists on the Alaska SeaLife Heart, the wholesome toddler, who now weighs 350 kilos, is settling properly into her new everlasting residence — hundreds of miles away at SeaWorld Orlando.
Flown down by way of FedEx with a full escort, Uki will reside on the widespread theme park — one among only a few amenities in North America geared up to take care of walruses like her who’re deemed unable to outlive within the wild.
At the moment thriving below the continuous care of devoted handlers, she’s anticipated to make her first public look later this month — little doubt with some viral consideration, like that just lately given to a sure pygmy hippo from Thailand, positive to comply with.
“We watch her indicators of enchancment with cautious optimism and are happy to be supported by our companions in offering the absolute best look after her and all our wildlife response sufferers,” Dr. Wei Ying Wong, President and CEO of Alaska SeaLife Heart, stated of Uki in a written assertion.
As a result of walrus calves usually stick with their moms for a minimum of one to 2 years after start, Uki’s survival trusted human surrogates — who not solely bottle-fed her but in addition cuddled together with her across the clock, mimicking the fixed bodily affection she would’ve acquired from her mother.
From making ready her formulation and cleansing up after her, to snuggling up together with her whereas she slept, the crew at ASLC stepped in as foster mothers — together with Diana Hawke and Staci Owens, who supplied consolation and enrichment throughout her preliminary restoration.
Now, she’s moved on to sunnier climes — with a brilliant future forward.
“Uki’s journey to SeaWorld Orlando is simply the start of her new chapter,” Dr. Joseph Gaspard, Vice President of Zoological Operations at SeaWorld Orlando, stated in a press release.
Since arriving in Florida final fall, Uki has acquired devoted one-on-one care from SeaWorld’s Wild Arctic crew, who’ve step by step acclimated her to the walrus habitat with quick visits, sleepovers, and scent-based introductions to ease her transition.
The final word aim is to completely combine her into the herd, starting with Kaboodle — a seasoned walrus mother who’s raised a number of calves.
“From the Utqiagvik neighborhood members who first discovered her, to the tireless efforts of the ASLC crew, and now to our household right here at SeaWorld Orlando, Uki has been surrounded by folks dedicated to giving her a second probability,” Gaspard stated.
And he or she’s now a lot greater than a rescue — she’s a conservation image, too.
“Walrus are superb ambassadors for the Arctic and an inspiration to all of us to be higher stewards of the planet all of us share,” stated Dr. Chris Dold, SeaWorld’s Chief Zoological Officer.
