male walrus (O. rosmarus)
wild caught in 2009
unknown status after 2013
No known related animals.
capture 2009 in Chukotka
transfer 2009-Nov-26 to Moscow Dolphinarium
transfer 2010-Feb-02 to Sochi Dolphinarium
transfer 2010-Jul-01 to Aquatoria Yalta
transfer 2011-Oct to Bodrum Dolphin Park
transfer ≥ 2013-Mar-05 to Aquatoria Yalta
unknown ≥ 2013 at Aquatoria Yalta
No images available at this time.
The images found here have all been gathered either from this facility's official resources or news articles.
This walrus was originally named Vytek (Витек) upon arrival to Yalta.
In October 2011 Samson was sent to Turkey as part of a group of animals from Aquatoria that were loaned to the Bodrum Dolphinarium. The rental fee for the animals was due after the 2012 season, in October -- however, the Dolphinarium did not pay it, nor were the animals returned. The Dolphinarium went to court on March 5th 2013, where I assume a decision regarding the animals was made, but I have seen no confirmation on what that decision was. I do know, however, that Samson performed at Yalta again in 2013, whereas the last evidence I've seen of him being housed there otherwise was in 2011.
In 2013 Samson appeared to have an advanced case of pulpitis, which is a major cause of death in captive walruses. As I have yet to see any evidence of this animal since that time, I assume that he must have passed.