Six Flags gets early Christmas present with pair of walruses

Six Flags Discovery Kingdom announced the arrival of Pakak and UqUq, two Walruses that are now part of the diverse animals in the park’s care. Pakak ( pronounced “puck- uck”), a male walrus, comes to the park from the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium in Tacoma, Wash. UqUq ( pronounced “uk- uk”), a female walrus, returns to Six Flags Discovery Kingdom after finding a temporary home at SeaWorld San Diego.

“It is a true Christmas miracle to have UqUq home and Pakak join our family,” said Animal Care Director, Dianne Cameron in a news release. “With only fourteen walruses in the United States we understand the privilege of being able to share these magnificent animals with our guests.”

Pakak was stranded and rescued at approximately a month old in 2012 by local fishermen, after he was found tangled in some nets near Barrow, Alaska. After a few months of rehabilitation the walrus calf was cared for at the Indianapolis Zoo in Indianapolis, Indiana before moving to the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium on 2019 in order to be reunited with another young male walrus that was rescued around the same time. Pakak’s continued maturation and growth presented the opportunity to bring the over 1,700- pound walrus to Six Flags Discovery Kingdom to be paired with UqUq. UqUq was orphaned as a calf in 1994 near Gambell, Alaska when she was just a few months old. Soon after it was determined that she would not be able to survive on her own in the wild, she was brought to Six Flags Discovery Kingdom for long- term care. In 2018, UqUq made the trip to SeaWorld San Diego to find companionship with three other walruses in their care. The arrival of Pakak allowed for the return of the over 1,800- pound walrus to her original home at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom.

While both walruses are not currently viewable by guests because the park is presently open as a drivethru experience, park staff are incredibly excited for visitors to once again be amazed and enthralled by their swift swimming abilities underwater in the near future.

The park is currently open nightly for the Holiday in the Park Drive- Thru Experience through January 3, then Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, including Martin Luther King Jr. Day, through January 31.