Seward Alaska
It's not birds, but it's interesting!
Eleven days ago, the baby walrus was less than enthusiastic
about feeding from a bottle. Today, he waited impatiently and watched anxiously
as the Alaska Sealife Center staff prepared his bottle. It apparently took
forever; he alternately drooped against the enclosure door, stood up on his
hind legs for a better view, checked out the big white towel on the floor, and
went back to peek through the netted door. If he could ring a service bell, it
would have been long and loud.
Finally, the magic door opened and the Stranding Staff
stepped in with the giant baby bottle. According to the ASLC, he is fed a
special wildlife brand of powered formula plus salmon oil and vitamin and
mineral supplements every three hours. It took him about four minutes to suck
down the contents and he didn’t spill a drop.
About an hour later, out came the “nudge board.” Time for a
swim! Swimming is not only an important skill to learn but is also for exercise
and to help his digestive process. Unlike the little red spa pool filled with
80º water, the water in his enclosure is right from the bay, about 50º. The
little tyke does not like it! So gently but firmly, the staff nudged him over
the edge with the board where he entered with a big, ungraceful, full body
splash.
He spent the next required 20 minutes trying to get out. The
water was just deep enough that he couldn’t push off from the bottom, so it was
quite a workout for his upper body. He did actually swim around a little, and
got up on the floating raft. But every time he tried to get out, there was that
red nudge board. Darn!
After a perceived eternity, pool time ended. The staff
removed the nudge board and increased the flow to raise the water level. He
tried and tried and tried, his front flippers braced on the deck, back flippers
churning furiously. As the visitors watching from above cheered, he almost
succeeded then slipped back down. “A” for effort!
Whether it was the higher water level, or sheer persistence,
he at last wriggled his way onto the deck. Yay! Within a minute, he was
cuddling with a seated staff member, ready for a nap. Quite an exciting
afternoon in the life of a 7-week old baby walrus!
The ASLC is open Monday through Thursday from 9 am to 9 pm,
and Friday through Sunday from 8 am to 9 pm. Walrus talks are presented daily
at noon and 7 pm.
Carol Griswold
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