unknown
female Atlantic walrus (O. r. rosmarus)
wild caught ≤ 1853
deceased on October 13th, 1853
Ancestors and Descendants
No known relatives.
Transfer History
capture ≤ 1853 in Spitsbergen, Norway
transfer 1853-Oct-12 to London Zoo
death 1853-Oct-13 at London Zoo
Image Gallery
No images available at this time.
Notes and Information
This walrus, described as already being near death upon arrival to London, was offered for sale to the zoo for £750 (equivalent to £96,000 in 2019) -- this was deemed a "foolish" and "unreasonable" price that the zoo refused to pay, even had the animal been healthy, although the walrus was allowed to be housed at the facility while remaining under the ownership and responsibility of the seller. The walrus died the following day, after which it was dissected and the seller paid for its skeleton and hide.
One source states that this walrus survived "a few days" after arrival to the London Zoo, rather than passing the following day.
References
2021-Oct-16. Personal communication with Paul Irven regarding information gathered by Andrew Stevens.
1970. Richard Owen. The Life of Richard Owen, vol. 1, p. 403-404. Retrieved from Google Books.
1929. Major S. S. Flower. List of the Vertebrated Animals Exhibited in the Gardens of the Zoological Society of London 1828 – 1927: Centenary Edition, vol. 1, Mammals. Retrieved by Tim May.
1905. Henry Scherren. The Zoological Society of London, p. 115. Retrieved from Archive.org.
1880. Joel Asaph Allen. History of North American Pinnipeds, p. 141. Retrieved from Google Books.