2-Year-Old Walrus Born in Captivity Dies at New York Aquarium

NEW YORK – A young walrus that was among only a handful ever born in captivity has died at a New York City aquarium.

Officials at the New York Aquarium on Brooklyn's Coney Island say Pacific walrus Akituusaq died Tuesday of pneumonia despite around-the-clock attention from veterinarians.

The walrus was born at the aquarium in the spring of 2007 and beat the odds by living a little over two years. It was one of only five born in captivity known to have survived the first year.

New York Aquarium director Jon Forrest Dohlin says the staff is "deeply saddened."

The walrus is survived at the aquarium by its mother, Kulusiq, and another walrus born in 1982.

Its father died last year at about age 14.