{
  "id": 374717,
  "title": "Kaya, the Middle East's first walrus calf, doing well at Seaworld Yas Island, Abu Dhabi",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/09/kaya-the-middle-easts-first-walrus-calf-doing-well-at-seaworld-yas-374717",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-09T11:14:01.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National Business",
    "slug": "the-national-business",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/uae/2026/08/09/kaya-the-regions-first-walrus-calf-doing-well-under-the-care-of-seaworld-yas-island-in-abu-dhabi/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In an unlikely location, the desert of Abu Dhabi, a walrus calf named Kaya was born at SeaWorld Yas Island. The park's senior zoological director, Scott McCoy, shared that the birth of Kaya, the Middle East's first walrus calf, is a significant milestone after a 15-month pregnancy. Kaya, weighing around 95 kilograms, is thriving and adapting to her new environment. The park's senior director emphasized the meticulous planning and preparation that went into creating a habitat that closely mirrors a walrus's natural Arctic surroundings. Despite the desert setting, the park's conditions closely replicate the Arctic habitat, from lighting to water temperature. Kaya's mother, Smooshi, who was originally from Canada, has been a great mother, showing Kaya the necessary balance of attention and independence. Pacific walruses, of which Kaya is one, are considered keystone species, playing a crucial role in educating guests about their ecosystem's health. Kaya's name, meaning \"little mountain\" in Inuit mythology, was chosen through an online poll. The park is open to the possibility of another walrus calf being born in the future, should nature decide to repeat the feat.",
  "summary": "The desert is the last place you might think a walrus calf would be born. But in the Arctic Realm section of SeaWorld Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, the conditions mimic those of a walrus's natural environment, and two months ago, the park welcomed the birth of the region's first walrus calf, Kaya. She now weighs about 95 kilograms and is adapting well, and the park's senior director said it was a…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 11,
    "also_reported_by": [
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        "title": "Kaya, the Middle East's first walrus calf, doing well at Seaworld Yas Island, Abu Dhabi",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/09/kaya-the-middle-easts-first-walrus-calf-doing-well-at-seaworld-yas",
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    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}