Dream Job Alert: Baby Walrus Cuddler

Staff at the Alaska SeaLife Center (ASLC) in Seward, Alaska are providing round-the-clock care to a rescued baby walrus—and, yes, that includes “cuddling.” These wildlife heroes have the distinct honor of emulating the love and care a walrus mother would provide to her calf by feeding the male Pacific walrus calf formula from a baby bottle and giving him lots of cuddles to mimic the feeling of maternal closeness. 

The calf arrived at the center on August 1, after it was spotted alone several miles inland from the Beaufort Sea and rescued with approval from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The calf was dehydrated, malnourished, and had a cloudy eye. 

Walrus calves depend heavily on their mothers for their first two years of life, and this young 200-pound walrus is only about a month old. Thankfully, trained professionals at the Alaska SeaLife Center stepped in immediately to fill the large void in this calf’s life, implementing a 24-hour care regimen.

The center says this is its first walrus patient in four years, and it’s one of just 10 walruses that have been admitted in its 25-year history. ASLC Wildlife Response Curator Jane Belovarac said: “It isn’t often that we’re able to admit a walrus calf, but every time we do, we learn more about the species and how to care for them.” 

While there are no openings for baby walrus cuddlers at the moment, the Alaska SeaLife Center’s Wildlife Response Program relies on corporate sponsors and individual donors to do this good work. Learn more about how to support them here: www.alaskasealife.org/donate.  

Source: https://outdoors.com/dream-job-alert-baby-walrus-cuddler/