Dramatic footage of walruses in Alaskan & Russian Arctic highlights threats from climate change
The Alaska footage shows some of the more than 100 walrus carcasses that were spotted on September 14 by US Geological Survey (USGS) researchers flying near Icy Cape, southwest of Barrow, Alaska. Days prior to that sighting, a massive heard of walruses was seen congregated on the shore. According to the preliminary report released today by the FWS team, which included USGS, the Alaska SeaLife Center and the North Slope Borough Department of Wildlife Management, a total of 131 carcasses, mostly calves and yearlings, were found. Their conclusion was that “the cause of death was consistent with trampling by other walruses.”
“With the rapid melting of Arctic sea ice due to climate change, walruses are losing their habitats and are being forced to congregate on land in massive numbers, often in the thousands” said Geoff York, WWF’s lead Arctic species biologist. “This is a very dangerous situation as it can lead to stampedes and the trampling of walruses. As is evidenced by the Icy Cape situation, young walruses are particularly vulnerable.”
In recent years, as Arctic sea ice has receded far from the Russian and Alaskan coasts, walruses – including many females and their calves – have been forced to take refuge on land, congregating in large numbers at “haul outs” along the coasts. These mass congregations can lead to violent stampedes, which, as is evidenced from the Icy Cape situation, are particularly dangerous to young walrus calves. Scientists also report a recent rise in the number of orphaned calves at sea after becoming separated from their mothers.
“It is clear: were it not for the dramatic decline in the sea ice, the young walruses at Icy Cape most likely would be alive on the ice and not dead on a beach,” said York.
Just last month, York observed an estimated 20,000 walruses congregated on the shore of Russia’s Cape Schmidt during the “Northeast Passage” expedition, which was supported by WWF and others. [Note: WWF footage from Cape Schmidt includes a walrus stampede.]
“As the sea ice retreats further out into the deep Arctic Ocean, walruses are unable to find food and are therefore coming ashore in huge numbers and in places they hadn’t been before,” York said. “Once on shore, the walruses are limited in how far out they can forage, especially females and young. If 20,000 walruses are all trying to find something to eat in one area, it won’t be long before the food runs out.”
York noted that large concentrations of walruses on land can also attract polar bears and lead to increased human-bear conflict. WWF is working with local communities across the Arctic coast to mitigate such conflicts and share information with communities on how to deal with the significantly increasing numbers of walruses and polar bears on land.
“These alarming conditions do not just raise concerns about the fate of iconic species such as walruses and polar bears—our own future is at stake,” says York. “The planet is changing in dangerous and unpredictable ways and the longer we wait to address the climate crisis the costlier it will be. It is critical that the Senate pass a climate bill this year, a critical step toward reaching a global agreement in Copenhagen.”
NOTES TO EDITORS:
Available upon request from WWF:
• Footage of the deceased walruses at Icy Cape, Alaska
• Footage of the Cape Schmidt, Russia, walrus haul-out, including stamped
• Still photos of the Cape Schmidt, Russia, haul-out
• Footage of individual healthy walruses from the Bering Sea
• map generated by the National Snow and Ice Data Center, showing sea ice extent on 12 Sept 2009 (minimum) and the median ice extent for that date from 1979 to 2000 (with the locations of Icy Cape and Cape Schmidt added by WWF) A NASA animation of the 2009 melt season (through 12 September) for Arctic sea ice
For a preview of the video footage visit: www.actforourfuture.org/ImpactsOnWalrus
Journalists who wish to download broadcast quality footage or obtain high resolution maps should contact Joe Pouliot at [email protected] or 202-476-9919.
ACT FOR OUR FUTURE
To learn more about WWF’s efforts to secure Senate passage of comprehensive climate change legislation this year, please visit www.ActForOurFuture.org.
ABOUT WORLD WILDLIFE FUND
WWF is the world’s leading conservation organization, working in 100 countries for nearly half a century. With the support of almost 5 million members worldwide, WWF is dedicated to delivering science-based solutions to preserve the diversity and abundance of life on Earth, halt the degradation of the environment and combat climate change. Visit www.worldwildlife.org to learn more.