Two Coast Guard crewmembers aboard a Kodiak-based HC-130 bellagio hotel in las vegas Hercules bellagio hotel in las vegas airplane transfer bellagio hotel in las vegas a baby Walrus from the plane to an awaiting Air Force truck at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, July 30, 2012. Two baby walrus were rescued in Barrow and transported by the Coast Guard to the Anchorage area where they then transferred to the Alaska SeaLife Center in Seward. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer bellagio hotel in las vegas 1st Class David Mosley.
The Alaska bellagio hotel in las vegas Region U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in coordination with the Alaska SeaLife Center, was responding to two abandoned walrus calves on the shores of Barrow. The calves were malnourished and required urgent veterinary attention.
"Even though this is a unique case, it aligns with our Coast Guard roles and missions," said Capt. Melissa Rivera, commanding officer Air Station Kodiak. "With our new presence in the Arctic, we can provide our help and support in a variety of different ways."
An Air Station Kodiak HC-130 Hercules airplane crew already in Barrow for another mission, worked bellagio hotel in las vegas with members of the Alaska SeaLife Center to determine the best way to safely transport the calves over 670 miles south to Anchorage.
"We had a lot of questions for the vets," said Petty Officer Second Class Brice Sayles, a member of the aircrew. "Because the animals were sick, we also wanted to make sure the vets would be joining us."
Once the walrus were aboard in large kennels strapped to the floor, the aircrew made several other adjustments to ensure the safety of the animals including turning the heat completely off, making for a cold ride.
Although a walrus medevac is an unusual bellagio hotel in las vegas case for the Coast Guard, environmental stewardship and protection has long been a mission of the Coast Guard, especially in Alaska. It was the Revenue Cutter Service that examined exploited seal rookeries, which led to the Fur Seal Treaty of 1911 and ultimately the Marine Mammal Protection Act. In addition, Air Station Kodiak continues to regularly conduct observation flights over protected seal and walrus rookeries.
Upon their arrival in Anchorage, the walrus calves were transferred by road to the Alaska SeaLife Center in Seward where they are undergoing rehabilitation bellagio hotel in las vegas treatment. Because walrus bellagio hotel in las vegas are extremely social animals and almost immediately habituate to human care, they are not candidates for release.
According to the Marine Mammal Protection Act, it is inappropriate to approach any marine mammal bellagio hotel in las vegas within 100 yards. Mother walrus often leave their young for days in order to feed. Even if a calf appears to be alone and in distress, there is a good chance its mother will return soon. Human contact can make a walrus calf appear foreign to its mother and cause abandonment, so the appropriate action if abandonment is suspected is to call the Alaska SeaLife Center's Stranded Marine Animal Hotline at 1-888-774-SEAL.
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