Meet Canada's 1st baby walrus born in captivity

Visitors to the Quebec City Aquarium got a look at Canada's first baby walrus born in captivity one of two marking a "historical event."

The female calf was born 17 days ago, weighing 62 kilograms.

• Walrus gives birth at Quebec City aquarium, a Canadian first
• Pregnant Quebec walruses raises hope of rare birth in captivity

"This represents all the efforts we are making in conservation," said Laurent Lessard, Quebec's wildlife minister.

The calf ismostly hanging around its mother, nuzzling its face. It occasionally swims on its own.

Canada's 1st baby walrus goes for a swim

8 years ago

Duration 0:51

This female baby walrus was Canada's first calf ever born in captivity.

It feeds from its mother, Arnaliaq, up to eight times a day for about 20 minutes at a time. The calf now weighs 63 kilos.

A world-first: another birth

While the baby female gotall the attention Thursdayfrom aquarium visitors as itsplashedaround in the pool with its mother, aquarium staff kept a close eye on another babyborn to another captive walrus Monday evening.

"These two births mark a historical event I would say it's completely exceptional. It's the first time in the world that two baby walruses are born in a zoological institute, within a two-week interval no less. That will be hard to beat," said John MacKay, president of Spaq, the Quebec agencythat manages wildlife parks and nature reserves in the province.

Themale, born to Samka, weighed 66 kilos at birth.

"Our walruses are the seventh and eighth to ever be born in captivity in North America, and that's over a span of 85 years," MacKay said.

Of all the world'swalruses to be born in captivity, only one lived to adulthood.

MacKay commended the efforts of the staff at the aquarium, saying they closely followed every step of the two pregnanciesand shared the data with other zoological institutions around the world.

"This is a moment full of emotions and great pride at the Aquarium duQubec," said Laurent.

Naming contest

The Aquarium du Qubecwill soonlaunch a contest on itsFacebook pageto name the walrus calves.

The top 10 names submitted will be put to a vote. The winners will get prizes.