Did You Know Walruses Can Whistle Just Like Humans?
Malorie Thompson
Have you ever heard a walrus whistle?
It's not something most people expect to come out of a wild sea creature's mouth, but a video from the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium in Tacoma, Washington is showing just how well one of their resident walruses could whistle.
Photo: In the video, which was taken back in 2012, you can see a 3,400lb Pacifc walrus named E.T. The then 31-year-old walrus was practicing with his trainer and went over skills like speaking, growling, and whistling!
The zoo shared on YouTube that E.T. was one of only 17 walruses in U.S. zoos and aquariums back in 2012. He was brought to the zoo after being found orphaned in Prudhoe Bay, Alaska.
Photo: He spent decades at the zoo, working with trainers and entertaining crowds.
When you see the video below of some of his skills, you can really understand why he was such a fan favorite!
Sadly, E.T. passed away at 33 years old back in 2015 while undergoing surgery.
The zoo shared about his passing on Facebook, writing: "With a heavy heart, the Zoo family said goodbye to the beloved E.T. the Walrus. For more than three decades, the 33-year-old community icon was an outstanding ambassador for his species and inspired generations of visitors to learn about walruses and other Arctic mammals."
According to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, a Pacific walrus can live up to 40 years.
Despite his untimely passing, the zoo has made sure to let E.T.'s legacy live on by dedicating a bronze statue of him outside him outside the front of the zoo.
The statue was unveiled in 2017, just two years after E.T. passed away. The zoo noted that they chose E.T. to be featured in statue form because he was "the best walrus ever."
