unknown

Atlantic walrus (O. r. rosmarus)

wild caught ≤ 1902

deceased in October 1902

Ancestors and Descendants

No known related animals.

Transfer History

  1. capture ≤ 1902 in wild

  2. transfer 1902-Sep-21 to New York Zoological Society

  3. death 1902-Oct at New York Zoological Society

Image Gallery

No images available at this time.

Notes and Information

This pup survived "about three weeks" before passing away due to pulmonary hemorrhage.

While the New York Zoological Society's annual report describes a walrus pup arriving to their zoo (now the Bronx Zoo) from the Peary Arctic Club in 1902, some sources state that the walrus was sent to the Central Park Menagerie, a separate facility. Although that facility is currently a part of the Zoological Society, it wasn't until April 22nd, 1980 that the contract was signed which paved the way for the Society's eventual operation of the zoo.

It is worth noting that while Peary imported five or six live animals into New York (two dogs, two or three puppies [sources vary], a musk ox, and the walrus [additionally, some sources cite Arctic hares which I have not yet found accounted for and are excluded from later publications on this event]), the Zoological Society only received four (all of the previously stated except the puppies and hares). It is possible that the animals missing from the Zoological Society's inventory were intended for Central Park and it was mistakenly reported that the entire import of animals were to be sent there.

At this time I have no further information on this inconsistency or whether or not there is any truth to the pup ever being housed at Central Park on a short-term basis, nor do I have further evidence of Central Park ever receiving any other animals from the Arctic Club to be able to validate my prior theory.

References

  • Bell, C. E. (Ed.). (2001). Encyclopedia of the World's Zoos, 3, 1149. Retrieved from Google Books.

  • Did not reach Pole. (1902, September 19). The Indianapolis Journal, p. 5. Retrieved from Hoosier State Chronicles

  • Differences adjusted. (1902, September 22). Daily Kennebec Journal, p. 1. Retrieved from NewspaperArchive.com.

  • New York Zoological Society. (1903). Seventh Annual Report of the New York Zoological Society, pp. 59, 96, 111. New York, NY: New York Zoological Society. Retrieved from Archive.org.

  • New York Zoological Society. (1981). New York Zoological Society Annual Report 1980-81, p. 11. New York, NY: New York Zoological Society. Retrieved from Archive.org.

  • Peary returns from frozen North. (1902, September 19). The Anaconda Standard, p. 1. Retrieved from NewspaperArchive.com.

  • Peary's men coming here. (1902, September 21). The Brooklyn Daily Eagle, p. 1. Retrieved from Newspapers.com.

  • Physician who left the Peary expedition and rare Arctic animals reach New York. (1902, September 23). The World, p. 1. Retrieved from NewspaperArchive.com.

  • Svanberg, Ingvar. (2010). Walruses (Odobenus rosmarus) in Captivity. Svenska Linnésällskapets Årsskrift 2010, p. 125. Retrieved from ResearchGate.net.