Olga the Walrus - Brookfield Zoo
Posted by: 
cldisme
N 41° 50.029 W 087° 49.827
16T E 431045 N 4631659
Olga, an Atlantic walrus known to millions, was a highlight of zoo visits from 1962 to 1988.
Waymark Code: WM274C
Location: Illinois, United States
Date Posted: 09/15/2007
Views: 144
One of Brookfield's most unlikely stars was Olga, a female Atlantic walrus who arrived at the zoo as a one-year-old pup in 1962. This amazing walrus gave a generation of Midwesterners an appreciation for marine mammals.
Olga's fame generated in two ways. The visitors loved to watch such a large creature swim with such grace, plus the fact Olga liked to squirt water at the visitors, too. But she also became the face (and what a lovely face it was) of a major funding campaign for the financially troubled zoo. Olga was chosen because she was the most expensive animal to feed. It cost over $30,000 dollars in 1980 to keep her fed with the fresh seafood she required. That would be approximately $75,000 in 2007 dollars.
The campaign was a success and Brookfield Zoo was then able and continues to construct award-winning habitats.
The sculpture of Olga was originally commissioned to promote the zoo's SeaScape exhibition, but Olga died of a kidney ailment a few weeks before the unvailing. It quickly became a tribute to her memory.
At the time of her death in August of 1988, Olga weighed 2,500 pounds, was 11 feet long, and believed to be the oldest walrus in any zoo or aquarium at the age of 26.
Type of Memorial: statue
Type of Animal: other
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Visit Instructions:
Proof of visit is required. The easiest proof is a gps photo of the memorial. GPS photos will always be acceptable proof. Individual waymarks may ask for an alternative type of proof of visit.