Sivuqaq (walrus)

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Sivuqaq
Sivuqaq (Jocko) the Walrus.jpg
Sivuqaq at Vallejo
Other name(s)Jocko [1]
Species Walrus
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]

Contents

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]

Related Research Articles

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References

  1. 1 2 "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.