Walrus Conservation Workshop

The Indianapolis Zoo is one of only four locations in North America to have walruses on habitat. With such a small group of experts available, it is important for zoos, keepers, veterinary staff and more to maintain close connections with each other to ensure quality care for these animals. To enhance those bonds, the Indianapolis Zoo hosted a walrus workshop last week, organized by the Walrus Conservation Consortium.

“Communication across facilities is important for so many reasons. Cooperating with each other allows us to set our animals up for the best breeding success. Discussing the latest innovations in training, husbandry and medical care ensures that we are all operating under the highest welfare standards,” Indianapolis Zoo Senior Marine Mammal Trainer and AZA Walrus Studbook Keeper Erika Allen said. “Collaborating on important conservation research projects ensures we make the most of our small sample size.”

Husbandry professionals from three North American AZA facilities visited the Indianapolis Zoo. Three additional AZA-accredited facilities, including international colleagues from Hong Kong and Abu Dhabi, joined virtually.

Workshop session topics included facility updates, walrus rescue and rehabilitation updates, conservation, anatomy and current research.

Dr. Melissa Fayette of the Zoo’s Veterinary Services team spoke to the group about walrus dental anatomy and tusk healthcare. The group also made a trip to the elephant barn to learn more about elephant tusks to see what can be applied to walruses.

“We also received an update from USGS researchers that we’ve collaborated with on past research. The data we’ve collected from training Ginger and Aku for research participation is now being used to fly drones over wild walrus populations to assess their health. I love knowing that our work here in Indianapolis is making a difference for conservation of the species,” Allen said.

Of course, a highlight was attending several training demonstrations with Ginger and Aku. These training sessions focused on sharing how the Indianapolis Zoo marine mammal team works with the Zoo’s Veterinary Services team to accomplish voluntary care behaviors such as ultrasounds, X-rays, blood collection and more.

A few guests had a sweet reunion with Aku and Ginger.

“Some guests in attendance of the workshop played an important role in Aku’s rescue and rehabilitation at the Alaska SeaLife Center when he stranded as a calf. For them to see him growing and thriving under our care reinforced that their hard work in marine mammal rescue is so impactful,” Allen said. “We also had a guest in attendance who helped to raise Ginger as a young calf and provided some of the foundational training for both Ginger and Aku before they arrived in Indy. I could see the love and care as they were reconnecting so many years later.”

For Allen, this workshop was a major accomplishment.

“We made some new connections with our international colleagues and were able to share so much information through our combined years of experience caring for walruses,” she explained. “I’ve been planning this workshop for the last year, so it was very rewarding to see it all come together these last few days. The walrus community is small but incredibly passionate and knowledgeable.”