Latest news with #AlaskaSeaLifeCenter
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Miami Herald
13-05-2025
- General
- Miami Herald
Large sea creatures are heard breathing on video. Listen to ‘incredible' moment
'Special visitors' created a peaceful moment off the coast of Alaska, and bystanders are calling it 'incredible.' The pod of orcas was spotted off Resurrection Bay in the town of Seward, according to a May 12 Facebook post by the Alaska SeaLife Center. The pod was seen 'surfacing with slow, steady breaths,' officials said. The social media post urged viewers to take a 'pause' and inhale before exhaling like the orcas do when they 'exhale with force, releasing warm breath into the cold Alaskan air.' The video shows the killer whales surfacing, with viewers even able to hear their exhale, causing viewers to 'remember what connects us,' the post said. The 'breathing giants' are known to be the ocean's top predator, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The highly social animal usually travels in pods 'of a few to 20 or more,' NOAA said. Officials said this video serves as a 'reminder that every exhale is part of something bigger: an ecosystem, a rhythm, a life worth protecting,' the post said.
Yahoo
13-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Orphaned baby walrus rescued in Alaska needed cuddles to survive — now she's melting hearts at her new home in Florida
Moo Deng is so last year. The newest cutie-patootie warming up to steal the social media spotlight is a rare orphaned Pacific walrus calf named Ukiaq — affectionately called 'Uki' — rescued from the Arctic Ocean after being abandoned by her herd. The brave girl was just weeks old when she was found dehydrated, malnourished and covered in exterior wounds — near the remote village of Utqiagvik, Alaska, last July. After being cared for extensively by experts at the Alaska SeaLife Center, the healthy toddler, who now weighs 350 pounds, is settling nicely into her new permanent residence — thousands of miles away at SeaWorld Orlando. Flown down via FedEx with a full escort, Uki will reside at the popular theme park — one of just a few facilities in North America equipped to look after walruses like her who are deemed unable to survive in the wild. Currently thriving under the continual care of dedicated handlers, she's expected to make her first public appearance later this month — no doubt with some viral attention, like that recently given to a certain pygmy hippo from Thailand, sure to follow. 'We watch her signs of improvement with cautious optimism and are pleased to be supported by our partners in providing the best possible care for her and all our wildlife response patients,' Dr. Wei Ying Wong, President and CEO of Alaska SeaLife Center, said of Uki in a written statement. Because walrus calves typically stay with their mothers for at least one to two years after birth, Uki's survival depended on human surrogates — who not only bottle-fed her but also cuddled with her around the clock, mimicking the constant physical affection she would've received from her mom. From preparing her formula and cleaning up after her, to snuggling up with her while she slept, the team at ASLC stepped in as foster moms — including Diana Hawke and Staci Owens, who provided comfort and enrichment during her initial recovery. Now, she's moved on to sunnier climes — with a bright future ahead. 'Uki's journey to SeaWorld Orlando is only the beginning of her new chapter,' Dr. Joseph Gaspard, Vice President of Zoological Operations at SeaWorld Orlando, said in a statement. Since arriving in Florida last fall, Uki has received devoted one-on-one care from SeaWorld's Wild Arctic team, who have gradually acclimated her to the walrus habitat with short visits, sleepovers, and scent-based introductions to ease her transition. The ultimate goal is to fully integrate her into the herd, beginning with Kaboodle — a seasoned walrus mom who's raised multiple calves. 'From the Utqiagvik community members who first found her, to the tireless efforts of the ASLC team, and now to our family here at SeaWorld Orlando, Uki has been surrounded by people committed to giving her a second chance,' Gaspard said. And she's now so much more than a rescue — she's a conservation symbol, too. 'Walrus are amazing ambassadors for the Arctic and an inspiration to all of us to be better stewards of the planet we all share,' said Dr. Chris Dold, SeaWorld's Chief Zoological Officer.
