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New York Aquarium News
Unforgettable Ayveq: 1994–2008
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Julie Larsen Maher ©WCS
| The New York Aquarium is sad to report that Pacific walrus “Ayveq” died early in the morning on June 22 after a short period of illness and intensive care. The exact cause of death has not yet been determined. A necropsy will be performed at the WCS Wildlife Heath Center.
Over the past week, Ayveq had been under special care by Wildlife Conservation Society veterinarians and received round-the-clock attention from Aquarium staff. “Ayveq was treated actively and aggressively in our attempt to save him,” said Dr. Paul Calle, director of zoological health programs for WCS. “He was a remarkable animal.”
Working together, the Wildlife Health Center staff and Aquarium keepers took extraordinary efforts to improve his condition throughout the entire period.
"We are deeply saddened by the loss of our beloved walrus Ayveq and are proud of the exemplary care that our entire staff provided during this critical time,” said Jon Forrest Dohlin, director of the New York Aquarium.
Ayveq, one of three orphaned walruses, was brought to the Aquarium in May 1994 from the village of Gambel on St. Lawrence Island, Alaska, by special arrangement with the Alaskan Walrus Eskimo Commission. His name meant “walrus” in Siberian Yupik, the language of the native people of Eastern Siberia. Ayveq is father to calf Akituusaq, who just celebrated his first birthday.
Ayveq will be remembered for his raffish ways and unusual skills such as whistling on cue, drinking down whole fish through a straw, and charming many generations of Aquarium visitors at the Sea Cliffs windows.
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