CONEY ISLAND — An orphaned walrus that was rescued off the Alaskan coast in July and was facing death months ago is growing hearty and healthy under the care of Brooklyn veterinarians.
Mitik, who has been at the New York Aquarium, run by the Wildlife Conservation Society, for a week now, is receiving around-the-clock care from trained staff and vets that oversee his bottle feeding every four hours. The walrus calf last weighed in at 242 pounds, having gained nearly ten pounds since his arrivial, and caretakers say he's gaining about a pound a day.
Jon Forrest Dohlin, director of the New York Aquarium, said the aquarium is vigilant on the new Brooklynite's progress. "We anticipate each health report of Mitik with hope and concern."
Initially Mitik, a Pacific walrus, was not believed likely to survive after he was found with severe dehydration, a high white blood cell count, and a bladder infection, the WCS said. The WCS also posted a video of Mitik here.