Illiyak

male Pacific walrus (O. r. divergens)

wild caught on May 9th, 1978

deceased on July 1st, 2009

Ancestors and Descendants

Offspring

Dozer (birth 1993-Jun-23)

unknown (birth 2001-May-08)

stillborn (birth 2003-Nov-15)

unknown (birth 2006-Mar-03)

stillborn (birth 2006-Mar-03)

Transfer History

  1. capture 1978-May-09 in wild

  2. transfer 1978-May-15 to SeaWorld San Diego

  3. transfer ≤ 1979 to SeaWorld Aurora

  4. transfer ≤ 2000 to SeaWorld San Antonio

  5. death 2009-Jul-01 at SeaWorld San Antonio

Physical Data

The dates listed here generally represent the time at which the weights were published, not necessarily the date on which they were taken.

Weight

  • 1979-May-24: 500+ lb

  • 1989-Mar-01: 2,500 lbs

Daily Diet

  • 1979-May-24: 80 lb of fish and 4 gallons of pureed squid and clam

Image Gallery

No images available at this time.

Identifiers

Local

  • C7807 (SeaWorld)

Regional

  • #23 (Association of Zoos and Aquariums)

Notes and Information

This animal's name was spelled Iliayak in the 2004 studbook, Iliak in a 1979 publication, and Illiyak in various other news publications. I am not aware which is the correct spelling.

Illiyak's left tusk was improperly removed, allegedly causing it to regrow upwards through his skull. To my knowledge this had no noticeable effect on his quality of life.

On February 28th, 1989 SeaWorld San Diego animal care worker Lisa Gouse was sent to the hospital with cuts and bruises after being bumped into the water and held by Illiyak.

Illiyak's date of capture was altered from May 15th to May 9th from the 2004 to 2018 studbooks.

References

  • 2018-Jan-08. Lisa Oland. AZA Regional Studbook.

  • 2005-Apr-25. Jodie Baker. 2004 North American Regional Walrus Studbook.

  • 1979-May-24. Akron Beacon Journal. Wally the Walrus: Sea World's new star. Retrieved from Newspapers.com.