Sivuqaq (walrus)

This article is about the walrus. For the city, see Gambell, Alaska.
Sivuqaq
Sivuqaq at Vallejo
Other name(s)Jocko[1]
SpeciesWalrus
SexMale
Born1994
near Gambell, Alaska
DiedJune 28, 2015
Six Flags Discovery Kingdom
OccupationZoo attraction
OwnerSix Flags Discovery Kingdom
Weight2,200 lb (998 kg)[2]

Sivuqaq, also known as Jocko, was a Pacific walrus at the Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in Vallejo, California.[3] He was the subject of several television and radio programmes,.[4][5] Some of which focussed on the steps his keepers took to encourage him to mate successfully. He was one of a number of walrus calves brought to Vallejo in 1994; the three others were the females Qiluk, Uquq, and Siku. They were orphaned as the result of hunting near the city of Gambell, Alaska,.[6] Gambell's name in Yupik "Sivuqaq" inspired his name. He died in 2015.[7]

Research

Sivuqaq was the subject of research on the vocalisation,[8] reproductive habits,[1] and cognition[9] of walruses.

Acting career

Sivuqaq appeared as Jocko in 50 First Dates.[10]

References

  1. ^ a b "Seeking the secret to walrus reproduction". SFGate. 2 January 2009. Retrieved 1 July 2015.
  2. ^ Angier, Natalie (20 May 2008). "The Walrus: Smart, sophisticated and ever closer to the edge". The New York Times.
  3. ^ "Natural World". RadioTimes. Archived from the original on October 19, 2013. Retrieved 1 July 2015.
  4. ^ "BBC Two - Natural World". BBC. Retrieved 1 July 2015.
  5. ^ Living on Earth / World Media Foundation / Public Radio International (20 August 2010). "Living on Earth: Discovering Walruses". Living on Earth. Retrieved 1 July 2015.
  6. ^ "Walrus birth to happen at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom". ABC7 San Francisco. Retrieved 1 July 2015.
  7. ^ "Movie Star Walrus Dies at 21". NBC Bay Area. 30 June 2015. Retrieved 1 July 2015.
  8. ^ "NOVA - Smart Marine Mammals: Expert Q&A". pbs.org. June 2009. Retrieved 1 July 2015.
  9. ^ Schusterman, R. J.; Reichmuth, C. (2007). "Novel sound production through contingency learning in the Pacific walrus (Odobenus rosmarus divergens)". Animal Cognition. 11 (2): 319–327. doi:10.1007/s10071-007-0120-5. PMID 18038276. S2CID 25680509.
  10. ^ "50 First Dates (2004)". IMDb. Retrieved 1 July 2015.