Both male and female walrus have tusks, which can grow up to three feet long. These tusks allow walrus to haul their heavy bodies out of the water onto the sea ice.
Light brown in coloration with long vibrissae, Aku lost his right eye after an injury that occurred shortly after he was rescued.
Aku was rescued in Nome, Alaska, after being separated from his mom. He was found by gold miners on the deck of a barge. The name Aku means “stern of boat” in the Inupiaq language (Native Alaskan).
Smaller than Aku, Ginger has a reddish coloration and short vibrissae.
Born at SeaWorld Orlando, Ginger is very fond of Aku as the two are almost always together.
Look no further. Connect with our amazing animals and learn about the wild places they come from.
Only a few walruses live among zoos and aquariums in the United States and you’ll learn more about the two living at Indianapolis Zoo! Although walruses are very large — males can grow up to 3,000 pounds — they’re incredibly agile, as you’ll see during this demonstration. Plus, you’ll learn how you can help protect our fin-footed friends in the wild.
Everyone has the power to help save wild things and wild places. That power is your individual voice, your awareness and your actions. So in addition to visiting the Zoo and meeting our animal ambassadors, here are a few simple suggestions that will help save their counterparts in the wild.
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The Animal Amigo program helps care for all of the animals at the Zoo by funding food, medical treatment, equipment, enrichment toys, and habitat improvement for the animals in our care. For a donation of $100 or more, you can sponsor a walrus at the Indianapolis Zoo. You will receive a plush, collector card, certificate and recognition on the Animal Amigo donor board!
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