Ayveq — a 2,700-pound walrus who was by far the New York Aquarium's most popular attraction for his public masturbation — is dead at fourteen, most likely from a "massive" bacterial infection. This was an untimely death for the walrus, who had entertained visitors to the aquarium (and himself) since his arrival from Alaska in 1994.
“We are all still in shock about it,” Aquarium Director Jon Forrest
Dohlin told The Brooklyn Paper. “He was an absolute delight. He had a magnetism and a
charm that was totally his own. He loved people and he knew how to work
a crowd and entertain guests — and himself. He did have a raffish charm, no doubt about it.”
And as The Intelligencer points out, The Brooklyn Paper's Gersh Kuntzman (who is never afraid to go there and still owes us a freelance check!) was the only publication to give Ayveq credit where credit is due:
"Ayveq
loved the attention and, if for some reason, visitors failed to notice
him, he would flip his flippers at the glass to attract attention,
'look them straight in the eye and give them a great big walrus grin.'"
[WNBC]
"Aquarium
staff held a subdued service yesterday to remember the charismatic
creature who loved to whistle and give them whiskery kisses." [NYDN]
"Ayveq,
the walrus whose bizarre, though oddly compelling, masturbation rituals
made him an international sensation at the New York Aquarium, has died.
He was 14. Though well-liked long before he discovered the habit that
would make him a star, Ayveq’s frequent public self-gratification made
him the Coney Island institution’s singular attraction." [Brooklyn Paper]
Ayveq, whose name translates to "walrus" in Siberian Yupik, leaves behind a partner, Kulusiq, a son, Akituusaq, and probably lots of walrus cum in the tank.
[The Brooklyn Paper: Death of a Legend]
Related: Caught on Tape: Cats Masturbating
[Video via 12th St David's flickr]
