Walrus in Trouble

Thousands of walrus can be found along Alaska's northwest coast; the trouble is, they are not supposed to be there. Scientists and conservationists alike believe that the appearance of the walrus in such vast numbers is a direct consequence of global warming.

During summer and fall, Alaska's walrus are normally found on the Arctic ice pack. This summer, however, saw the lowest ice cap on record which resulted in sea ice being located farther north of the continental shelf than usual. The continental shelf is a shallow area in the Bering and Chukchi Seas where the walrus traditionally feed because it is rich in clams, snails and other animals dwelling on the bottom. Since the Arctic ice is now located farther from the continental shelf and therefore beyond the walrus diving range, massive numbers of walrus have simply opted to stay on shore in order to feed. Scientists on the Russian side of the Bering and Chukchi Seas have made similar observations.

This may not seem to be a serious problem unless it is examined more closely. Thousands of walrus may not be able to find enough food along the shoreline to sustain life. If the adult walrus have to swim far from shore to bring food back to their young, they will expend energy normally used for other activities. Walrus cannot swim indefinitely like seals; they need to rest after foraging and they need either ice or land to accomplish this task. In addition, female walrus usually dive for food from an ice pack, while the young calf waits on the platform for her return.

The removal of the isolation which inhabiting the ice pack affords makes the walrus susceptible to stampedes caused by panic as a result of airplanes, boats, or approaching polar bears. Since an adult walrus can weigh 2,000 pounds or more, many young animals can be crushed in such stampedes.

The National Snow and Ice Data Center at the University of Colorado at Boulder tracks the trends of sea ice. When observed in September, the Center determined that sea ice was 39% below the average for the past 21 years. Predictions now estimate that the Arctic Ocean may be totally devoid of ice by the summer of 2030. These are alarming statistics. Global warming cannot be reversed without the cooperation of virtually every inhabitant of this planet.