Six Flags walrus died two weeks Ago
Pakak’s demise confirmed
The walrus hailed as “a Christmas miracle” at the end of 2020 when it arrived at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, has died, park officials acknowledged Friday.
A source requesting anonymity informed the Times-Herald that Pakak died March 4. It was confirmed by the Walrus Network.
“It is with a heavy heart that the park shares the passing of Pakak, the male walrus, who had been under the park’s care since December,” Six Flags said in a morning statement via communications manager Marc Marino.
Marino said the results of a necropsy — the animal equivalent of an autopsy — is pending, adding that the walrus’s death “came so unexpected.”
“Pakak was young and healthy when he moved to Discovery Kingdom. His death has not been reported by the facility, and that makes me extremely disappointed and suspicious,” the source said.
Marino said Six Flags wouldn’t comment on the accusation, limiting the park’s response to the 11:45 a.m. statement.
“Pakak will be dearly missed by all of the caregivers and guests whose lives were touched
through his story and boisterous nature,” the Friday statement said.
Christopher Berry, managing attorney at the Animal Legal Defense Fund, said the ALDF “would like to learn more about Pakak’s death. Even if no laws were broken, Pakak’s life and death is a tragic illustration of a legal system that prioritizes commercial profits in the fishing and entertainment industries over animal welfare.”
Employees and volunteers at the Indianapolis Zoo, Pakak’s former home, received a March 9 email confirming the walrus’s death from Kristin Kreamer, the zoo’s manager of volunteer services.
“We have some sad news to report. Walrus Pakak died last Thursday after exhibiting signs of illness. The staff at Six Flags were monitoring him closely and did everything they could to save him,” Kreamer wrote. “He touched our hearts and will be remembered for his playful and mischievous personality.”
There are now only 13 walruses in captivity in the United States at four facilities and the source said “they are extremely rare to see in person, and are a complicated animal to house at zoos and aquariums.”
Pakak (pronounced “puck-uck”) arrived in Vallejo from the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium in Tacoma, Wash., along with UqUq (pronounced “uk-uk”), a female walrus, who returned 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,” Six Flags Animal Care Director, Dianne Cameron said in a Dec. 24 news release. “With only 14 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 before moving to the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium in 2019 in order to be reunited with another young male walrus that was rescued around the same time.
“Folks who work, volunteer, and visit the Indianapolis Zoo are all heartbroken about Pakak’s death,” said the TimesHerald’s source.
According to the Walrus Network, Pakak is the fifth walrus to die at Six Flags. Uquq remains at the Vallejo park.
Marino said it “hasn’t been determined” if the park would pursue a new companion for Uquq.