E.T. the walrus dies at Tacoma zoo at age 33

TACOMA -- The Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium announced Thursday night their  longtime popular walrus E.T. died after a two-hour surgery.

"He did not recover from anesthesia following a two-hour surgery to drain a severely infected pharyngeal pouch," the zoo said.

The large pharyngeal pouch is a unique feature of male walrus' anatomy, zoo officials said, that helps males float in the water and enables them to make specific sounds during breeding season.

“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.”

The zoo said E.T. came to the zoo as an orphan in 1982.

Zoo Deputy Director John Houck described E.T. as a superb ambassador for his species.

“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,” Houck said. “He leaves a legacy of helping people learn about walruses and other Arctic mammals and the perils they face due to climate change.”