Please complete your profile to unlock commenting and other important features.

Please select your date of birth for special perks on your birthday. Your username will be your unique profile link and will be publicly used in comments.
MTL Blog Pro

This is a Pro feature.

Time to level up your local game with MTL Blog Pro.

Pro

$5/month

$40/year

  • Everything in the Free plan
  • Ad-free reading and browsing
  • Unlimited access to all content including AI summaries
  • Directly support our local and national reporting and become a Patron
  • Cancel anytime.
For Pro members only Pro
Summary

Somehow, 2020 Has Claimed The Life Of Yet Another Beloved Quebec Sea Creature

Can this year be over already?
The Aquarium du Québec's Walrus Arnaliaq Has Died At The Age Of 17
Aquarium de Quebec Aquarium de Quebec
Staff Writer

In the distant future, 2020 in Quebec will likely be remembered for these two things: the pandemic and the death of beloved sea creatures. On Monday, Arnaliaq, a 17-year-old female Atlantic walrus that captured the hearts of both visitors and trainers, died in captivity at the Aquarium du Québec.

The cause of death has not yet been determined. 

Yes, that's right. Somehow, another much-loved and gorgeous sea mammal has died in Quebec.

Editor's Choice: 83 Quebec Students Threw An Airbnb Party This Weekend & Each Received A $1,000 Fine

Despite the medical treatment provided by the veterinary team, Arnaliaq died in the early hours of Monday, October 26. 

Aquarium du Québec

According to the aquarium's Facebook page, "more analyzes are underway" to determine Arnaliaq's cause of death "and the results will be known in the coming weeks."

The walrus began to display abnormal behaviour in the days before her death and "a general anesthesia was performed this Sunday [...] in order to find the origin of her condition and to treat her."

"The anesthesia proceeded without complications initially, but upon awakening, Arnaliaq developed severe respiratory distress unresponsive to treatment," said the aquarium. 

Arnaliaq sadly joins the Saint Lawerence humpback whale and the seal within our collective memories.

Why Quebec seems to be so deadly to sea creatures is unclear but maybe those sharks should think twice before swimming up the fleuve. 

National Geographic says that Atlantic walruses can live up to 40 years in the wild, making Arnaliaq's tragic passing even more depressing to think about. 

Explore this list   👀

    • Teddy Elliot
    • Teddy Elliot was a Staff Writer for MTL Blog. He was born and raised in Montreal, Quebec and has a B.A. in Literature. Teddy has been a journalist for three years and was once an English teacher. His creative work has appeared in The Blasted Tree and Parenthetical Magazine. When he's not chasing scoops, Teddy can be found cheering on Aston Villa and listening to 80s power ballads. He was shortlisted for a Digital Publishing Award in 2021.

    Montreal Jobs New

    Post jobView more jobs