Farewell to Ayveq the walrus
He leaves a legacy of kisses.
Ayveq the walrus was known to blow kisses to visitors through an underwater window at the New York Aquarium, and it's one of the things his caretakers will remember best as they mourn his passing. The aquarium had recently celebrated the one-year birthday of Ayveq's calf Akituusaq.
The 14-year-old Pacific walrus died Sunday after a short illness, despite intense efforts to save him. Ayveq arrived at the aquarium in May 1994 as one of three walrus orphans from the village of Gambel on St. Lawrence Island, Alaska.
