Marineland walrus a new mom
A week after she was the subject of a feature documentary on CBC, Marineland’s only remaining walrus, Smooshi, is a new mom.
The 17-year-old Pacific walrus gave birth Monday night to a 45-kilogram calf after becoming pregnant in early 2019.
In a statement released Wednesday, the Niagara Falls park said the mom and newborn are “doing well” as staff and veterinarians keep an eye on them from a “respectful distance.”
Smooshi and her relationship with former Marineland trainer Phil Demers is the subject of the new documentary “The Walrus and the Whistleblower,” which debuted on CBC Sunday night.
The film explores the unique bond Demers had with the walrus before he quit the park in 2012 and became its most vocal critic.
A $1.5-million lawsuit Marineland filed against Demers claims he plotted to steal the walrus at one point.
The film’s director, Nathalie Bibeau, shared news of the birth on her Facebook page Wednesday, adding “the story just keeps on giving.”
Reached Wednesday, an angry Demers blasted the park for allowing the walrus to become pregnant.
“Smooshi, as a first-time mom at this late stage in life, in the conditions she’s lived in … (this) is nothing short of cruel,” he said. “What a shame that Marineland continues their cruel ways.”
Demers disputes the park’s claim that Smooshi became pregnant by mating with former Marineland walrus Apollo, who died last spring of natural causes.
He said Smooshi was “inseminated” by a team of vets from Germany — which the park was quick to dismiss.
“This is another of Phil Demers’ wild conspiracy theories and obviously false tales,” a park spokesperson said when reached Wednesday.
“Marineland is no longer prepared to dedicate any of our time to publicly responding to Mr. Demers’ self-destructive and increasingly bizarre behaviour, clearly illustrated by another of his wild stories.”
The park said the birth is the natural result of mating season behaviour among the walruses.
The park consulted with “walrus experts” to prepare for the birth and help Smooshi care for the calf.
“They seem to be doing well for now,” said the spokesperson.