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Indy Zoo welcomes pair of playful Pacific walruses

Aku and Ginger.JPG
Posted at 12:25 PM, Nov 15, 2019
and last updated 2019-11-15 12:25:44-05

INDIANAPOLIS — The Indianapolis Zoo has welcomed two new additions to their Oceans area.

A male walrus named Aku and female walrus named Ginger can be seen in the two large viewing areas.

Aku was rescued in Nome, Alaska, after being separated from his mom, the zoo said. He was found by gold miners on the deck of a barge. Aku lost his right eye after an injury that occured shortly after his rescue.

Ginger was born on June 2, 2017, at SeaWorld Orlando. According to the zoo, Aku and Ginger have been together for most of their lives.

The zoo also said goodbye to two of their other walruses, Aurora and Pakak. Aurora was sent to SeaWorld Orlando to breed and Pakak, who is too young to breed, was moved to Point Defiance Zoo in Washington.

"Walrus are found in only four zoos and aquariums in the United States, so the Indianapolis Zoo is pleased to offer the unique opportunity to get up close with this amazing yet vulnerable species," the zoo said.