Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium walrus dies at 33

TACOMA, Wash. — Officials at the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium announced their 33-year-old Pacific walrus E.T. died Thursday afternoon.

Officials said E.T. didn’t recover from anesthesia following a two-hour surgery to drain a severely infected pharyngeal pouch.

"At age 33, he was a geriatric walrus with multiple medical issues," said zoo head veterinarian Dr. Karen Wolf.  "He had been ill for many weeks with a serious bacterial infection. He had not eaten for 17 days, and he suffered from painful arthritis that made it difficult for him to haul out of the water."

E.T. came to Tacoma as an orphan in 1982.

"We are extremely saddened by the loss of E.T., who was a well-loved member of the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium family and a community icon who delighted generations of visitors," said Zoo Deputy Director John Houck. "He leaves a legacy of helping people learn about walruses and other Arctic mammals and the perils they face due to climate change."

KIRO