Big baby walrus coming to NYC aquarium

[October 13, 2012]  NEW YORK (AP) -- A 234-pound baby walrus is coming to the Wildlife Conservation Society's New York Aquarium in Brooklyn.

The 15-week mammal was rescued from the ocean off Alaska in July. The aquarium is set to welcome the walrus, named Mitik, on Thursday.

The Coney Island aquarium is only one of a few institutions in the country that exhibit walruses. It has two other walruses. Nuka is 30 years old and Kulu is 17.

Mitik was found by a hunting vessel several miles offshore. Initially, he suffered from bladder problems and was unable to take a bottle. The Alaska Sea Life Center says he's now putting on a pound a day.

He will spend the first month in quarantine at the aquarium's medical facility. He will join the exhibit next spring.

[Associated Press]

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