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The global view 6 MAGAZINE All that noise 17 No. 2 2017 THE CIRCLE Coming ashore 22 :WALRUSES: GOINGGOING WITHWITH THE THE FLOES?FLOES?

PUBLISHED BY THE WWF PROGRAMME

TheCircle0217.indd 1 06.07.2017 16.48 THE CIRCLE 2.2017 EDITION

Contents EDITORIAL An iconic symbol 3 IN BRIEF 4 D. BRUCE STEWART, JEFF W. HIGDON The global view: status, trends, and threats 6 MADS PETER HEIDE-JØRGENSEN Diminishing returns 10 TOM ARNBOM, MELANIE LANCASTER Surprisingly sensitive 14 XAVIER MOUY Industry in walrus territory 16 ISABELLE CHARRIER All that noise 17 DR. ANATOLY KOCHNEV Pacific walrus in 18 MIKE HAMMILL Keeping track 21 GEOFF YORK Coming ashore 22 THE PICTURE 24

The Circle is published quarterly Publisher: Editor in Chief: Clive Tesar, COVER: Two walrus (Odobenus by the WWF Arctic Programme. WWF Arctic Programme [email protected] rosmarus) resting on ice. Foxe Reproduction and quotation with 8th floor, 275 Slater St., Ottawa, appropriate credit are encour- ON, K1P 5H9. Managing Editor: Becky Rynor, Basin, , Canada. Photo: naturepl.com / Eric Baccega / WWF aged. Articles by non-affiliated Tel: +1 613-232-8706 [email protected] sources do not necessarily reflect Fax: +1 613-232-4181 ABOVE: Atlantic walrus (Odobe- the views or policies of WWF. Design and production: Send change of address and sub- Internet: www.panda.org/arctic Film & Form/Ketill Berger, nus rosmarus rosmarus) swim- scription queries to the address [email protected] ming in the clear water of the on the right. We reserve the right ISSN 2073-980X = The Circle , Nunavut, Canada. to edit letters for publication, Printed by St. Joseph Communications Photo: Norbert Rosing/National Geographic Stock / WWF-Canada and assume no responsibility for Date of publication: unsolicited material. July 2017. Thank you for your interest in The Circle. Many of our ­subscribers have moved to an e-version. To receive an electronic copy in your email instead of a paper 2 The Circle 2.2017 copy, please write to us at [email protected] and help us reduce our costs and footprint.

TheCircle0217.indd 2 06.07.2017 16.48 THE CIRCLE 2.2017 EDITORIAL

Walruses: an iconic symbol

AS A CHILD, I was fascinated by walruses: their bulbous, Xavier Mouy writes of how one such activity, exploring watchful eyes, abundantly whiskered muzzles, those for oil and gas, influences walrus behaviour in the Chuk- impressively long canines and their great blubbery bodies chi Sea off . so efficiently designed for foraging for shellfish in frigid Changing climate, increasing development, and shifting Arctic waters. Now working in conservation biology, that walrus behaviour make conservation planning difficult. fascination continues. However, it has shifted from physi- However, as Mads Peter Heide-Jørgensen notes, the his- cal intrigue to a desire to understand the role walruses tory of human disturbance and abandonment of walrus play in the Arctic ecosystems and the information they sites in clearly demonstrates the need to man- provide into our changing climate. age these activities around areas of ecological importance Consider the recent shifts in behaviour of Pacific wal- to walruses. Similarly, Anatoli Kochnev argues protected ruses in Eastern Russia and Alaska. Herds of walruses area designation in Russia will not be enough to protect in the tens of thousands have begun to come ashore, mobile walrus populations, that we must attracting the attention of residents and global media. ensure important beaches outside pro- This unusual behaviour appears to be tied to the ongoing tected areas are appropriately managed. loss of in the walruses’ more Melanie Lancaster favoured feeding grounds. Images and Tom Arnbom of walruses piled on beaches have THE WALRUS STORY IS flag critical con- become commonplace and as iconic a servation mea- symbol for as the lone MORE COMPLICATED sures that could MARGARET KINNAIRD polar on an ice floe. be taken imme- is the Global Wildlife THAN A BEACH SNAPSHOT Practice leader at WWF The walrus story is more com- diately, including International plicated than a beach snapshot. As re-directing ship- Jeff Higdon and D. Bruce Stewart write, there are many ping routes away from important walrus habitats. unknowns surrounding the two walrus sub-. In the interests of having the most up to date informa- Several authors in this issue help fill some of the gaps tion available, WWF has commissioned a report on the in our knowledge. Isabelle Charrier distils research on circumpolar status of the walrus. The report, written by ocean noise, focusing on the effects on communication Jeff Higdon and D. Bruce Stewart will be available on between walrus mothers and calves. Geoff York explores our website. Another recent report – the ’s the potential for increasing conflict between walruses Snow, Water, Ice and Permafrost (SWIPA) report – indi- and polar as they meet with increasing frequency cates walruses will have to endure at least several decades on Arctic shores. Mike Hammill writes about the “diffi- of a warming Arctic. Although their future is uncertain, cult, complex and labour intensive” business of counting my hope is that walruses will continue to fascinate chil- walruses in the Canadian Arctic. Walrus ecology is com- dren and adults around the world, and one day return to plicated by growing human activity across their range; an undisturbed habitat abundant with ice and shellfish. l

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TheCircle0217.indd 3 06.07.2017 16.48 IN BRIEF Photo: Pavel Kochkarev / WWF Russia. pelts left behind by poachers. Krasnoyarsk region, Russia, April 2017.

no meat removed. Maps of marine Wild reindeer Poaching and legal loop- Avoiding habitat and contact infor- holes which allow overhunt- mation are also included so slaughter ing are the primary threat collisions with mariners can report sightings to wild reindeer in Russia and incidents. In addition, uncovered in which have declined from marine the guide provides operation- an estimated 1.5 million to al guidance when encounter- Russia 900,000. DECREASING SUMMER SEA ing marine mammals. “We saw signs of poaching ice will likely mean more “We hope this guide AN ANTI-POACHING RAID sup- in this region, but the true ships passing through the will minimize disruptions ported by WWF-Russia has scale of the phenomenon is – the pas- to important habitat, and found more than 800 loca- outrageous,” says Ivan Mizin, sage connecting the Atlantic increase awareness in the tions where wild reindeer project coordinator at the Ocean to Canada’s Hudson shipping community about appear to have been illegally WWF Russia Barents Office. Bay – putting whales, polar the wildlife that share these killed. It is estimated roughly Wildlife wardens in the bears, seals and walruses at waters,” says Andrew Dum- 20,000 reindeer have been Krasnoyarsk region face greater risk. However, a new brille, senior specialist, sus- poached in Russia this year numerous challenges: poach- WWF-Canada guide could tainable Arctic shipping. after game wardens, police ers are well armed and help ships avoid collisions Ship traffic affects marine and inspectors from the Cen- equipped with modern ATVs with these vulnerable marine mammals in numerous ways: tral Siberian and snowmobiles, while the mammals. The Hudson Strait ■■ Ship noise makes it dif- found hundreds of dead vast size of the region makes Mariner’s Guide can be hung ficult for whales to communi- reindeer in the central Kras- it difficult for inspection staff on a ship’s bridge to help cate with each other; noyarsk region. Many had to adequately monitor poach- mariners identify Arctic spe- ■■ Ships disrupt feeding pat- been discarded with little or ing activity. cies native to those waters. terns, and often drive marine

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TheCircle0217.indd 4 06.07.2017 16.48 IN BRIEF

mammals away from their An initiative led by Parks & usual habitat; Wildlife and assisted ■ Ship strikes can seriously by WWF Finland along with Changed Arctic, changed world injure seals denning on sea ice; a large group of volunteers ■ In the event of a spill, is helping the Saimaa seals IT IS LIKELY that many for this event is difficult. On pollution from sewage, grey- by creating snowbanks on people alive today will see land, the vast boreal forests water, ballast water and fuel Lake Saimaa’s frozen surface the end of the Arctic as we will experience an increase could damage marine mam- where the seals can build know it, according to the in forest fires and insect mal habitats. lairs and give birth. This past stark findings of the Arctic pests, and the icy ground ■ Ships can carry non-native winter saw nearly 280 artifi- Council’s Snow, Water, Ice will continue to thaw. species on their hulls to cial snowbanks built with the and Permafrost in the Arc- “The impacts of the places they do not belong, seals birthing 81 pups. Nine- tic (SWIPA) report. changes are already affect- potentially affecting the ty percent of those pups were The report, written by ing Arctic wildlife and entire ecosystem. born in man-made snow more than 90 scientists, Arctic peoples. That will banks. During low-snow brings together data from intensify,” says WWF winters up to half of the pups the past six years which Climate Expert Martin Man-made snow die. This year, the propor- show “…the Arctic will Sommerkorn. The report tion of pups that died in their not return to previous concludes that Arctic eco- nests was 18 percent, half the conditions this century…” systems will face significant banks protect number of pups lost during according to the climate stresses and disruptions. low-snow winters when no scenarios considered by the Shrinking sea ice means a rare seals snow banks were made by report. shrinking range for some WARMER WINTERS and low humans. The report warns that seals, walrus, and polar snowfalls have made breed- “This is a prime example vast expanses of summer bears. Changes on land can ing for the extremely endan- of concrete and produc- sea ice trod by polar bears, make food more difficult to gered Saimaa ringed seals tive nature conservation,” the ice edge habitat of pods access for grazing more difficult. Found only says WWF Finland’s Petteri of , days-long such as caribou/reindeer in the Saimaa water system Tolvanen. One of the rarest migrations by herds of and muskoxen. When the in Finland, these rare ringed seals in the world, the Saimaa caribou crossing the tun- animals are stressed, the seals build cave-like lairs in was facing extinc- dra, are all threatened by people that rely on them, snowbanks on the ice. Low tion. Populations have been current and future climate from hunters to snowfall in recent years has preserved and even increased change which will have an Saami herders, will also feel forced the seals to birth their to an estimated 360 seals. A impact on life around the the effects. pups on top of the ice, where population of 400 is the level world. What the Arctic changes they have no shelter against at which the population is The report says that mean for the rest of the predators, the cold and other deemed safe. before 2050, autumn and world is still somewhat disturbances. winter temperatures will uncertain, but it is becom- soar by 4-5 degrees above ing clearer that changes what they were in the in the Arctic will resonate A stuffed ( hispida saimensis) at late 1900s. It says these globally. The SWIPA report the Finnish Museum of Natural History in Helsinki, Finland temperature increases are pegs the minimum increase “locked in” by greenhouse in sea levels at more than gases already in the atmo- half a metre by 2100, much sphere and by heat held in of it due to melting ice from the oceans. The report also Arctic glaciers. There is also advances the date at which increasing evidence that the will be changes in the Arctic are largely ice-free to some 20 interfering with established years from now although it weather patterns around says making precise dates the world. Photo: Tomi Tapio K, CC, Flickr.com Tapio Tomi Photo:

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TheCircle0217.indd 5 06.07.2017 16.48 The global view: status, trends, and threats

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TheCircle0217.indd 6 06.07.2017 16.48 The walrus (Odobenus rosmarus) has a circumpolar Arctic and sub-Arctic distribution with two , the Atlantic walrus, O. r. rosmarus, and Pacific walrus,O. r. divergens. Walruses are widely distributed but occupy a narrow ecological niche. They require areas of shallow water with a pro- ductive bivalve community, the reliable presence of open water to access these feeding areas, and suitable ice or land for haul- ing out. Walruses often gather in large herds. They are associated with moving pack ice for most of the year but when ice is absent haul out on land at predictable locations. Walruses are sensitive to disturbance at these haulouts. ➤

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TheCircle0217.indd 7 06.07.2017 16.48 ➤ THEIR HABITAT USE and behavior make THREATS Abundance Annual catch* IUCN** Potential threats and limiting factors walruses relatively easy for hunters to CLIMATE CHANGE Key threats and factors limiting walrus estimate* (approximate)

locate, and vulnerable to environmental populations stem from subsistence Subspecies Status Industrial development HAS THE POTENTIAL Subsistence changes and disturbance. Hunting by hunting, industrial development and 5,300 < 500 Pacific walrus Data deficient and resource extraction humans has strongly influenced their resource extraction, tourism and other Atlantic walrus Near threatened TO AFFECT ALL WAL- Tourism and other disturbances Climate change distribution. Many populations were disturbances, and climate change. * Abundance estimate and **International Union for Conservation of Nature historically over-harvested, with vary- RUS POPULATIONS Stressors from these threats, such as annual catch are not in same scale ing levels of recovery. Suitable habitat habitat disturbance and hunting mor- has declined as human activities have THROUGH DECLINES tality, can alter walrus distribution or

expanded. reduce walrus abundance, with ecologi- 5,300 Understanding of walrus population IN SEA ICE HABITAT cal impacts and socioeconomic costs. trajectories is limited by the difficulty Subsistence hunting affects Atlantic RUSSIA and cost of surveying in remote areas. walrus populations in Canada and Kara SSeaea SSouthernouthern BBarentsarents SSeaea FINLAND Survey coverage has typically been lim- population. The historically abundant Greenland and Pacific walrus in the Novaayaya Zemlya ited to a small subset of a population’s population in southeastern Canada Bering and Chukchi seas. Atlantic wal- distribution. Few populations have been was wiped out by hunting ca. 1850, and ruses in Norwegian and Russian waters resurveyed over time using comparable is unlikely to re-establish due to the are not hunted for subsistence, nor are Not Lapteevv Sea methods, and increase in other human activities in the Pacific walruses in the . available 3,900 the structure of region. Industrial development and distur- D. BRUCE some popula- bance by human activities may become Franz Josef Laandnd Svalbaalbardrd STEWART is tions is poorly PACIFIC WALRUSES increasingly important threats. Hydro- an aquatic understood. Two Pacific walrus populations are carbon exploration and development biologist who Information recognized, one in Russia’s Laptev Sea has the potential to affect Atlantic wal- works with on the popu- and the other, shared by Russia and ruses east and west of Greenland and in < 20 1,400 Government, Indigenous lations and Alaska, in the Bering and Chukchi seas. the Barents Sea, and Pacific walruses in peoples, and others on on the IUCN The Laptev Sea population was once the . Shipping on a massive East GGreereenlaandnd Arctic & northern, marine & (International considered a separate subspecies but scale from iron mine development may ICELAND freshwater environmental Union for the recent studies support its recognition as soon disrupt Atlantic walrus habitats < 4,000 issues. Conservation the westernmost population of Pacific in Canada year-round. Loss of sea ice 129,000 of Nature) walruses. These populations may have is helping to enable these activities and GREENLAND JEFF W. < 100 (DENMARK) status of each formed a continuum prior to commer- others such as ship-based tourism. Bering aandnd Chukchi Seas 3,000 HIGDON is a subspecies is cial exploitation. Little information is Climate change has the potential to marine mam- summarized on available on the Laptev Sea popula- affect all walrus populations through CCanadiananadian HigHighh ArArcticctic mal scientist the map. Most tion and its abundance and trends are declines in sea ice habitat that alter NorthNorthwestwest GGreenlandreenland who works with countries need unknown. The Bering and Chukchi Seas their seasonal distribution, ocean acidi- Government, to update the population occurs throughout the con- fication that causes shifts in species, ALASKA Inuit, and conservation conservation tinental shelf waters of both seas and and changes in human access. Pacific (USA) < 500 organizations on Arctic status of walrus ranged farther south prior to excessive walruses in the Bering and Chukchi marine conservation CCanadiananadian CCentralentral ArArcticctic populations hunting. Population size has fluctuated seas appear to be particularly vulner- West GGreenlandreenland 20,000 issues. within their markedly in response to varying levels able to ice loss, which is forcing them jurisdiction. of human exploitation. ashore earlier in the season in very large numbers. Greater use of coastal Nova ScScotiaotia ATLANTIC WALRUSES haulouts limits their access to offshore NeNewfoundlandwfoundland CANADA 100-200 Atlantic walruses historically ranged feeding areas, may facilitate the spread < 10 GuGulflf of Stt.. LaLawrencewrence from the central Canadian Arctic east of disease, and has resulted in trampling HUMAN ACTIVITIES CCanadiananadian Extinct to the , north to Franz Josef mortalities when they are disturbed. 0 200 400 600 800 km Low Arrcticctic Land and south to , Canada. Six extant populations are recognized FURTHER ENCROACH GAPS Odobenus rosmarus) populations. Prepared by Higdon Wildlife Consulting and Arctic Biological Consultants, Winnipeg, MB for WWF-Canada, Ottawa, ON. based their genetic interchange and ON WALRUS HABI- Research is ongoing for all populations other factors such as geographical sepa- but many information gaps and uncer- ration. Several are shared by Canada TAT IN RESPONSE TO tainties remain related to walrus ecology and Greenland, and Norway and Russia and population dynamics. Some of these, share the - CLIMATE CHANGE such as population-specific growth rates

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TheCircle0217.indd 8 06.07.2017 16.48 Walrus distribution, abundance and challenges Abundance Annual catch* IUCN** conservation status Potential threats and limiting factors estimate* (approximate)

Subspecies Status Industrial development Subsistence hunting 5,300 < 500 Pacific walrus Data deficient and resource extraction Atlantic walrus Near threatened Tourism and other disturbances Climate change * Abundance estimate and **International Union for Conservation of Nature annual catch are not in same scale

5,300 RUSSIA Kara SSeaea SSouthernouthern BBarentsarents SSeaea FINLAND Novaayaya Zemlya

SWEDEN Not LLaapteevv Sea available 3,900 NORWAY

FFraranz Josef Laandnd Svalbaalbardrd

< 20 1,400

EEaast GGreereenlaandnd ICELAND < 4,000 129,000 GREENLAND < 100 (DENMARK) Bering aandnd Chukchi Seas 3,000

CCanadiananadian HHighigh AArcticrctic NNorthwestorthwest GGreenlandreenland

ALASKA (USA) < 500

CCanadiananadian CCentralentral AArcticrctic WWestest GGreenlandreenland 20,000

Nova ScScotiaotia CANADA NNewfoundlandewfoundland < 10 100-200 GuGulflf of Stt.. LaLawrencewrence

CCanadiananadian Extinct 0 200 400 600 800 km Low Arrcticctic

Map: Ketill Berger, Film & Form, www.filmform.no Source: Higdon, J.W., and D.B. Stewart. 2017. State of circumpolar walrus (Odobenus rosmarus) populations. Prepared by Higdon Wildlife Consulting and Arctic Biological Consultants, Winnipeg, MB for WWF-Canada, Ottawa, ON.

and hunting loss rates (i.e., animals arching: the need for international coop- human activities. The importance of both struck and lost) apply to most popula- eration in managing shared populations, measures will increase as human activi- tions; others to a few. Two conservation and the need for a proactive approach to ties further encroach on walrus habitat and management measures are over- the assessment of potential impacts from in response to climate change. l

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TheCircle0217.indd 9 06.07.2017 16.48 Subsistence hunting

■■ Walruses have been hunted by people for thousands of years and

are particularly important to Indig- Photo: Mads Peter Heide-Jørgensen enous peoples such as Inuit, Yupik, and Chukchi. Walrus meat still feeds people, the hides are still used for footwear, and the tusks for carving. Over the past five hundred years but particularly in the eight- eenth and nineteenth centuries, com- mercial hunting of walruses for oil, skin, meat and tusks resulted in huge declines of both Pacific and Atlantic walruses across their ranges. By the Photo: Kevin Schafer / WWF late 1800s, as much as half of the Walrus tusks gathered for sale Pacific walrus population was gone Punuk lsland near St. Lawrence and the most southerly population Island, Alaska. of Atlantic walruses was extirpated, with other populations brought to government bodies. Hunting of wal- the brink of extinction. As well as ruses is culturally important and con- endangering the survival of walruses, tributes to a subsistence economy, losses resulting from commercial providing a nutritional component hunting threatened the communities to diets and income from the sale of who relied on walruses to live. From walrus products. In recent years, sea the early 1900s onwards, commercial ice loss resulting from climate change hunting of walruses was gradually has had a serious impact on the abil- prohibited by Arctic nations. Today, ity of Arctic people to access walruses subsistence hunting by Arctic peoples in some regions, and this has poten- is carried out in Canada, Greenland, tially dire consequences for their live- Alaska and Russia and is managed lihoods in the future. usually through co-management Melanie Lancaster is WWF’s Senior between native organisations and Specialist – Arctic Species.

In the news

■■ Journalist Lisa Demers has written Walruses hauling extensively about the out on sea ice in role walruses continue front of Thule Air to play in the lives of Base. Indigenous cultures. You can read her series for the Alaska Dispatch News, a daily

newspaper based in Photo: Kevin Schafer / WWF Anchorage, Alaska, at Stretching of walrus hide at Savoonga St. Lawrence this link: Island, Alaska. www.adn.com/features/alaska-news/rural-alaska/2017/05/26/for-two-alaska-villages- walruses-remain-essential-as-sea-ice-disappears-can-it-last/

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TheCircle0217.indd 10 06.07.2017 16.48 Diminishing returns Human activity coupled with diminishing sea ice means walrus herds are being forced to look for new platforms for feeding, mating and resting. MADS PETER HEIDE-JØRGENSEN says walrus distributions around Greenland have changed alongside past and present human activities and climate change.

ALL POPULATIONS of walrus seem to be The abandonment of the haulout sites though some of highly sensitive to human activities such in Greenland is due to some level of the human dis- MADS PETER HEIDE- as hunting and boat traffic. They appear human activity, mostly hunting. Howev- turbances have JØRGENSEN is a professor to be especially so near haulout sites. In er, it’s believed one site on the west coast been discontin- at the Greenland Institute Greenland, at least 19 locations have been of Disko Island was perhaps abandoned ued and at least of Natural Resources and used by walrus for haulouts. In West due to the establishment of a Loran C one population the Danish Natural Histo- Greenland walruses have not been using radio station close to the uglit in 1954. of walrus (in ry Museum. He studies terrestrial haulouts or ‘uglit’, for the last This was a radio navigation system that East Green- marine mammals, mainly 50 years. In East Greenland about 6 uglit used low frequency radio signals trans- land) has recov- cetaceans. are currently used, but these are all in mitted by land-based radio beacons. ered from past the northern part of the East Greenland Several hundred walruses regularly exploitation, there are still no signs of National Park where there is no hunting used other uglit in West Greenland until re-colonization of traditional haulouts. and almost no human activity. they were abandoned in the 1920s. Even It must be recognized that some walrus ➤

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TheCircle0217.indd 11 06.07.2017 16.48 ➤ habitats in Greenland have been perma- Mining is another obvious threat nently lost due to human activities such ABANDONED HAULOUT especially when it involves retrieval of as continued hunting and expanding SITES PROVIDE AN mineral deposits in mussel bed com- villages close to the haulouts. munities which are prime walrus feed- Abandoned haulout sites provide an IMPORTANT LESSON ing grounds. In some cases, it might be important lesson on the sensitivity of necessary to choose between protecting walruses and emphasizes the need for ON THE SENSITIV- walrus herds or extracting non-renew- avoiding human activities in areas of able resources. In other areas, strict reg- importance to them. Recent plans for ITY OF WALRUSES ulation of the timing of the activities will shipping and ice breaking through the be necessary to cause as little disruption walrus wintering grounds in the east- as possible. Activities in offshore areas ern part of pose a threat to years have been using drifting pack-ice such as ice breaking are usually not cov- walrus that are wintering in that area. as haulout platforms during the six win- ered by national environmental impact These walruses were previously using ter months when the walruses are mat- assessments. Therefore, regulation of terrestrial haulouts on small islands ing, whelping, and feeding intensively activities requires international coop- in West Greenland but for the past 80 on the shallow banks. eration from the participating nations. Photo: Carsten Egevang Photo: Mads Peter Heide-Jørgensen

Walruses resting on sea ice Walruses seeking shelter from while drifting over mussel the northern wind behind an ice beds. berg in Nares Strait.

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TheCircle0217.indd 12 06.07.2017 16.48 thereby dispersing the predatory pres- whether that is a viable alternative to sure on shellfish resources over larger hauling out on ice is unknown. areas. There are already signs that wal- The walrus is closely associated with ruses in areas of Northwest Greenland the shallow water areas of the Arctic. with sea ice decline are using terrestrial There are regional differences in the dis- haulouts in remote areas of Northern tance between haulout sites and feeding Canada during summer. But terrestrial grounds. This will be a decisive factor haulouts are often located far from the for the future of walrus populations that feeding banks and the walrus will have are under pressure from declines in sea to commute from resting localities to ice and increased human presence in the feeding grounds, expending far more Arctic. l

Photo: Mads Peter Heide-Jørgensen energy compared with drifting on ice Declining sea ice means walruses will pans above the food. One option for the lose the second type of haulout platform. walrus is to use its pharyngeal pouches Sea ice allows walruses to rest over the (air filled sacs located along the throat) feeding banks while drifting around and to keep drifting over feeding banks, but

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TheCircle0217.indd 13 06.07.2017 16.48 TheCircle0217.indd 14 14 TheCircle2.2017 Walrus (Odobenusrosmaris sensitive Surprisingly ), Chukotka,,Russia, Arctic. 06.07.2017 16.48

Photo: Staffan Widstrand / WWF Despite occurring over a vast area and having healthy population sizes in many regions, wal- ruses face an uncertain future. MELANIE LANCASTER and TOM ARNBOM look at conservation actions to safeguard walruses from threats to their survival.

Pacific walruses (including the diver- the Atlantic are often islands or closer to safeguard walruses hauled out gent Laptev walrus group) have a global to land. In the short term, walruses in onshore in eastern Russia. Another tool population size of over two-hundred the Atlantic should still be able to reach to reduce disturbance of these surpris- thousand and Atlantic walruses num- existing feeding grounds, and the loss ingly sensitive giants is ship re-routing. ber around twenty five thousand. That of sea ice could even open new feeding This strategy is used successfully to pro- sounds quite healthy, doesn’t it? Why areas for them. tect pupping grounds in the then, you might ask, are we concerned Laptev walruses are different yet White Sea using daily satellite images about their future survival? Because, again. Along the Russian Arctic coast of seal locations, which inform shipping according to experts, all climate sce- is the Laptev Sea where the Atlantic routes through the area. narios anticipate drastic changes to sea and Pacific walrus populations meet. In Regular monitoring of populations and ice habitat in the Arctic, and this will summer, walruses here seem to have understanding population boundaries is eventually cause walrus populations adapted to live with no summer sea ice essential for ensuring a sustainable wal- to decline throughout their range. For to rest and hunt from, hauling out on rus harvest. Walruses have been hunted this reason, they have been listed as land to rest. However, these resting sites for subsistence purposes for centuries by Vulnerable on the International Union attract polar bears, which feed on wal- Arctic peoples. for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red rus calves. They are cultur- TOM ARNBOM List, and are a focus of conservation What conservation actions can we ally important is a senior con- efforts across many organisations. take to ensure the future for walrus? to Indigenous servation officer Conservation actions are not “one size Undoubtedly, the most urgent and traditions, they with the WWF fits all”, and Pacific, Atlantic and Laptev impactful conservation action the world are harvested walruses are experiencing the effects of can is to reduce global greenhouse gas for their meat MELANIE LAN- a warming Arctic in subtly unique ways. emissions. with the sale of CASTER is Pacific walruses spend spring and But several other threats face wal- their ivory tusks WWF’s Senior summer feeding over the huge, shallow ruses and need addressing. The length- and ivory crafts Specialist, Arc- in the Chukchi Sea, ening ice-free period in the Arctic brings is an impor- tic Species north of Russia and Alaska. Mothers greater opportunity for industrial devel- tant source with calves rely on ice platforms over opment including shipping, mineral of income for the shelf for giving birth and resting exploration and extraction, commercial Arctic communities. Overhunting is rec- between dives to the seafloor. In recent fishing and infrastructure builds such ognised as a potential threat to walruses, years, sea ice has drifted hundreds of as housing, harbours and airports. Best but is governed through responsible co- kilometres north of the shelf earlier in management practices through volun- management systems in most countries summer. This has forced walruses to tary or regulated measures can be put with legal hunting. come ashore along coastlines to rest in place to reduce harmful impacts of Monitoring of walruses is ideally done in huge, crowded groups of tens of industry on walruses. Impacts include through a combination of scientific thousands of animals in Russian Chu- underwater and atmospheric noise research and traditional/local knowl- kotka and Alaska. From these coastal (e.g. ship engines, seismic surveys), edge. Healthy walrus populations are haulouts, they must travel farther to sea ice break up, direct disturbance vital to Arctic people, but the Arctic’s reach rich feeding grounds and are and bycatch of walruses. In addition to remoteness means that monitoring can prone to being crushed in stampedes if incidental catch of walruses in fishing be challenging. Knowledge from local they or their neighbours are suddenly nets (bycatch), bottom trawling fisheries hunters is therefore hugely valuable for startled. Thousands of walruses have can destroy the sea floor and the fragile detecting changes in population distri- been killed in stampedes, and walrus feeding grounds of walruses, who rely bution, body condition and health of calves are particularly vulnerable. on mussels for their main food base. walruses, and can provide early warn- In contrast, walruses in the Atlantic Identifying and safeguarding walrus ing of broader ecosystem changes. In a Ocean seem to prefer to rest on land, haulout and feeding areas is another warming Arctic, this is more important rather than ice. The reason for this dif- measure to protect them. than ever to ensure the survival of this ference is likely because the continental Temporary closures during particularly valuable natural resource and ecological shelf of the is much vulnerable times of the year and “no-go” asset into the future. l narrower and most feeding grounds in zones are approaches that have worked

The Circle 2.2017 15 Photo: Staffan Widstrand / WWF Photo: Staffan

TheCircle0217.indd 15 06.07.2017 16.48 Industry in walrus territory Pacific walruses are segregated by gender for much of the year. Adult females and young follow the ice edge as it recedes through the Chukchi Sea in summer and they return to the in winter, while most males stay in the Bering Sea year-round. XAVIER MOUY says studies are underway to assess the effects of industrial activities on walruses.

CLIMATE CHANGE has led to an earlier regulatory permit applications. The retreat of sea ice in summer and a later THE EFFECTS OF CHRONIC Chukchi Sea Environmental Studies fall return, requiring walruses to change INCREASES IN BACK- Program (CSESP), the largest of these their use of the Chukchi Sea. At the multiyear studies, included a large pas- same time, longer open water periods GROUND NOISE ON sive acoustic monitoring component make the region more accessible to that enabled scientists to describe sea- human activities. WALRUS BEHAVIOR AND sonal and spatial use of the northeast- The oil and gas industry has been ern Chukchi Sea by walruses, by listen- assessing hydrocarbon prospects in the COMMUNICATION ARE ing for underwater sounds produced by northeastern POORLY UNDERSTOOD these highly vocal animals. This study Chukchi Sea off identified important walrus concentra- XAVIER MOUY Alaska over the tions, or “hotspots”, and quantified the is a scientist past decade. natural and man-made underwater with the Cana- Ship traffic in tions generate underwater noise that noise levels over a large area of the dian consult- the Arctic has can affect walruses’ hearing and use of sea. Such baseline measurements are ing company increased over sound. To mitigate such impacts, on-site essential to understand the effects of JASCO Applied Sciences. the years, with acoustic measurements are carried out additional noise from human activities He specializes in the pas- growth expect- in combination with sound propagation on walruses and to inform planning to sive acoustic monitoring ed to continue modeling to determine the distances mitigate possible impacts; they help of whales, and through 2050 from activities over which harmful noise industry and regulatory agencies make fish for numerous environ- when the Arc- effects could occur. informed decisions on where and when mental impact studies for tic Ocean is observers (MMOs) are deployed on to operate (i.e. by avoiding loud activi- industry in the U.S. and expected to be most exploration vessels to watch care- ties near sensitive walrus habitat when Canadian Arctic. largely free of fully for animals that could approach walruses are present). summer sea within marine mammal exclusion or These large environmental programs ice. The effects of reduced sea ice and safety zones. MMOs have the authority have advanced the understanding of the increased human activity near walrus to halt the noise-generating activities if distribution of walruses in the north- feeding habitat could be detrimental to animals are observed close to the exclu- eastern Chukchi Sea, leading to several these mammals. sion zone. peer-reviewed publications in scientific Oil and gas activities include seismic From 2006 to 2015, several oil and journals and environmental impact surveys that use underwater airguns gas companies performed hydrocarbon assessment reports provided to govern- to generate loud pulses of sound used exploration in the northeastern Chukchi ment agencies. Still, many knowledge for mapping hydrocarbon deposits Sea. Some of these companies funded gaps remain. While there is some quan- within the sea bottom, and drilling of multidisciplinary long-term environ- titative information available on walrus exploration wells to assess viability of mental projects to collect ecological hearing, the effects of chronic increases the most promising finds. Both opera- baseline measurements and to inform in background noise on walrus behavior

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TheCircle0217.indd 16 06.07.2017 16.48 and communication are poorly under- calves and consequently on the walrus scale that would likely not have hap- stood. population. Noise levels at which such pened otherwise. It has filled critical The northeastern Chukchi Sea is an communication disruptions occur are information gaps and provided valuable important feeding ground for mothers currently unknown. The effects of noise baseline data that are keystones for and calves during the summer months. on walruses’ behavior is also poorly quantifying the effects of underwater Sound is an essential tool to them as understood, and it is currently unknown noise on walruses. Many other pieces of they vocalize to communicate and keep whether walruses avoid areas with the puzzle are however still missing to track of each other. It has been shown increased noise levels. If they do, indus- fully understand how the walrus popu- that calves can recognize their mothers trial noise might deter walruses from lation might be affected and what can be from their vocalizations alone. Dis- prime feeding habitat. done to mitigate adverse effects. Such ruption of this communication due to Industry-funded research has - questions must be addressed before any increased noise in the ocean could lead thered knowledge about Pacific walruses large scale industrial activities happen to detrimental effects on the survival of in the northeastern Chukchi Sea on a in this region of Arctic waters. l

periods on ice in summer, walruses swim in groups and communicate by All that noise sounds (both in air and under water) to stay together. Mothers and calves The walrus is an emblematic species of the Arctic. They recognize each other by voice, and the are also highly social, gregarious mammals that rely on bond between the mother and her calf is among the strongest in mammals, vocal cues. But researcher has found ISABELLE CHARRIER persisting several years after weaning. increasing noise pollution is having an adverse effect on Underwater noise can impair their vocal the pinnipeds. communication which can be particu- larly dramatic for calves if they are sepa- rated from their mothers and cannot WALRUSES CAN FORM herds of several mainly females with calves. Walruses reunite using vocal cues. The amplitude hundreds of individuals. Even if they are very sensitive to aerial noise such as level of traffic noise can be extremely stay in groups all year round, the group boat engines, but also noise from low loud, and it has been recently shown in size and composition varies between the flying aircrafts, so the risk of stampede Scotland that shipping noise levels are two subspecies (Atlantic and Pacific wal- induced by aerial noise is extremely above those known to induce temporary rus), and changes with the time of year high and results in a tremendous num- hearing loss in harbour seals. Impact and gender. For instance, in summer, ber of deaths, mostly young animals studies in Arctic waters are thus needed Atlantic walruses form mixed groups crushed by congeners running to the to evaluate of individuals whereas Pacific walruses water. If aerial noise clearly affects the increasing ISABELLE form large sex-segregated herds. walrus behaviour and thus threatens risk of ship- CHARRIER Walrus produce vocalisations in air the survival of the youngest animals, ping traffic and studies the and under water in many social contexts the same can be said of underwater human activi- vocal commu- including mother-calf interactions, noise due to human activities such as ties on walrus nication in pin- adult-adult interactions, courtship boat traffic, drilling, air guns, etc. This behaviour and nipeds (seal, sea and display, predator or danger alert. With underwater noise is loud and composed physiology. fur sea, and walrus). climate change, the extreme loss of sea of low frequencies that can propagate Auditory mask- ice gives more opportunities to develop over long distances. During move- ing of their maritime traffic which in general will ments from foraging grounds to resting social vocalisations and temporary hear- increase human activity in the Arctic. ing loss due to human-activity noise The absence of ice during summer has can have a great impact on both walrus lead walruses to come ashore to rest reproduction and survival rate. Finally, more often. This has been seen for sev- such impact studies will help in devel- eral consecutive summers in Alaska, oping rules or laws to limit the level with the most striking example being NOISE CAN HAVE A GREAT of human-made noise in Arctic waters the largest aggregation of Pacific wal- IMPACT ON REPRODUC- especially in areas where walrus and any ruses at Point Lay in September 2014 other marine mammals are known to where 40,000 animals were observed, TION AND SURVIVAL RATE come for foraging or breeding. l

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TheCircle0217.indd 17 06.07.2017 16.48 Pacific walrus in Russia The Pacific walrus has long been a staple of subsistence for the of northeastern Russia and the Inuit of Alaska in the United States. As climate change con- tinues to adversely affect this important shared resource, ANATOLY KOCHNEV says effective research, monitoring and management of walrus populations will rely on the joint efforts of both countries.

BY THE EARLY 1960S, over-hunting saw the Pacific walrus drop to an estimated 50-90,000. Protective measures saw herds restored to the optimal population of 275-386,000 by the early 1980s. But even with significant harvest reduction, there are signs the Pacific walrus popu- lation is again decreasing. This trend was first observed in the mid-1980s when a survey by American researchers of the age and sex composition of the walruses in the Chukchi Sea showed alarmingly low population productiv- Photos: Anatoly Kochnev ity and survival of young animals. This was confirmed by the Soviet-American aerial survey in 1990 when numbers were determined to be 201-296,000 indicating a 25 per cent decrease over 10

years. By the 2000s, numerous coastal Photos: Anatoly Kochnev haulouts on the Fresh corpses of walruses on the edge of haulout, after the walruses had recently and the Koryak left, Cape Serdtse-Kamen’, coast had DR. ANATOLY stopped, and KOCHNEV is where the wal- decreasing numbers. Climate change of walruses on coastal haulouts. This Senior Scientist ruses did con- has caused a significant decrease of peaked in autumn 2007 when up to of the Mam- tinue to haul summer and autumn sea ice cover mak- 10,000 animals died along the Arctic mals’ Ecology out, numbers ing it difficult for walruses to rest on coast of Chukotka. Lab of Institute of Biologi- had fallen dra- the ice floes or use them as platforms The decline of walruses from the cal Problems of the North, matically. Com- for feeding in the extensive shallows of southern part of the range is even more Russian Academy of Sci- pared with the the central Chukchi Sea. Walruses are pronounced although it seems they ences mid-1980s the forced to remain near shore for exces- have been able to adapt to ice losses, number of wal- sively long periods, creating dense albeit in low numbers. In the absence rus herds staying for the summer in the haulouts in the tens of thousands. With of ice this adaptation is manifested as northern part of the Anadyr Gulf had such a concentration of walruses in the walruses concentrate on coastal haulout almost halved. In 2006 joint US-Russia coastal waters, there is an acute short- places located at a minimum distance aerial surveys estimated the number of age of food and many of the animals are from areas with the most productive Pacific walruses had further dwindled in poor physical condition. There is also sea floor communities, where bivalves to 129,000 – a return to the level of the growing interference from predators and other organisms eaten by walruses early 1970s. and humans, leading to panic among predominate. Thus, the loss of energy It is now clear that global climate the tightly-packed crush on shore and is in walruses during feeding and move- fluctuations are the main cause of these likely the cause of annual mass deaths ment from land haulouts to feeding ➤

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TheCircle0217.indd 18 06.07.2017 16.48 Photos: Anatoly Kochnev The world’s largest haulout of Pacific walruses at Cape Serdtse-Kamen’, Chukotka, Russia

Exhausted female near the haulout Cape Blossom Somnitel’naya Spit Chuckchi Sea

Cape Schmidt

Point Lay Barrier Island RUSSIA Cape

Cape Onmyn Photos: Anatoly Kochnev

Me’eskyn Spit Island Cape Serdtse-Kamen’ Chegitun River mouth Retkyn Spit Cape Unikyn

Cape Nunyamo

Arakamchechen Island ALASKA Punuk Islands (USA)

Large walrus haulouts reported during Bering Sea Cape Peirce the 1980’s through to 2010 Round Island ≥ 1,000 walruses

≥ 10,000 walruses

0 200 400 600 800 km The Circle 2.2017 19

Map: Ketill Berger, Film & Form. Adapted from: USGS: Pacific Walrus Coastal Haulout Database,1852–2016—Background Report, Open-File Report 2016–1108

TheCircle0217.indd 19 06.07.2017 16.48 ➤ areas can be compensated by the high density of food. After a long break, walrus haulouts have again begun first on the Russian coast of the Chukchi Sea, and then on the northern Group of Walrus (Odobenus coast of Alaska. These locations have seen regular use from rosmaris), Chukotka, Siberia, August to November over the last two decades. I discovered Russia, Arctic. one of these important haulout places in 2009 on the Rus- sian coast of the Chukchi Sea near Cape Serdtse-Kamen’. The monitoring conducted by myself and my colleagues from the Chukotka branch of the Pacific Research Fisheries Center in 2009-2016 showed that 75-115,000 walruses are concentrated at Cape Serdtse-Kamen’ and adjacent parts of the coast in October constituting the main part of the Pacif- ic population. The mortality of walruses at Cape Serdtse- Kamen’ and other coastal haulouts remains high, but not as high as in the critical year of 2007. Observations at Cape Serdtse-Kamen’ indicate that in current years the popula- tion has stabilized although this is a temporary respite for walruses. If losses of ice habitat in the Chukchi Sea continue it is difficult to imagine how they will survive it. The problem is further aggravated by the fact that the shrinking of the sea ice cover becomes a catalyst for increas- ing the anthropogenic pressure on the Arctic. Histori- cally, high sea ice density created the conditions to make the Chukchi Sea a natural reserve for walruses and other marine mammals. Now the sea ice barrier has disappeared, and people are expanding their economic activities in the Arctic. In Russia, oil and gas exploration of the Bering, Chukchi and East Siberian seas and construction of a float- ing nuclear power plant in the is under- way. The intensity of navigation is increasing, with new civil and military complexes being built next to key Pacific walrus habitats. The reaction of walruses to an inevitably sharp increase in economic activity and possible pollution in most of their range is unpredictable. Currently, efforts to protect the Pacific walrus in Russia involve limiting the traditional native harvest (any other harvest is prohibited, except for capturing calves for zoos and aquariums) and the creation of designated protected areas in Chukotka. In 1976 a federal reserve was established on the Wrangel and Herald islands which was extended in 1997 to the 12-mile coastal water area around these islands. In 2012 a 24-nautical mile protective zone was created adjacent to the reserved water area. In 2013, the Beringia National Park was established in the area and the southern part of the Chukchi Sea. However, these measures are not enough for successful conservation and growth of the Pacific walrus population. Walruses like any other marine mammals actively move within the range, and they are difficult to protect by creating any limited pro- tected land and water areas. Systematic, longterm monitor- ing of the Pacific walrus population is needed throughout all ranges, and effective control of anthropogenic activi- ties, including flexible restrictions that respond quickly to changes in the distribution and behavior of walruses. l

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TheCircle0217.indd 20 06.07.2017 16.48 Keeping track Counting walruses is difficult, complex and labour inten- sive usually requiring repeat visits to haulout sites. Even then there are numerous variables swaying the numbers. MIKE HAMMILL says good record keeping is integral to good management of declining herds.

WEIGHING UP TO A TON, the walrus is the and understanding how this species largest seal native to Canada. Good wal- responds to climate change. Walruses rus habitat is characterized by relatively are a challenging species to enumer- shallow water (ca 80 m or less) with a ate due to a seabed that supports plenty of shell- combination of fish in areas not far from haulout sites. factors includ- MIKE HAMMILL Walruses were once widely distributed ing: a highly is a research in Canada and common south to the clumped distri- scientist with Gulf of St Lawrence and Island. bution; move- the federal By the late 1700s, commercial ments between Dept. of - in the Gulf of St Lawrence was already haulout sites; ies & Oceans in Canada in decline as whales became harder to variability in catch. Whalers began searching out new detection probabilities depending on areas for harvesting and shifted their whether animals are hauled out on land, attention to other species to fill their on the sea ice, or are in the water; and holds. By the end of the century, Atlan- uncertainty in the fraction of the popu- tic walruses (Odobenus rosmarus ros- lation hauled out when the survey is marus) had been killed off from the Gulf flown. In September 2017, the Canadian of St Lawrence and sites on Canada’s Department of Fisheries and Oceans is east coast such as Sable Island. Today, planning a survey to obtain information walrus distribution is limited to Hudson on walrus abundance along the south- and James bays, and areas to the north east coast of , in Hudson into the central and High Arctic (Fig. 1). Strait, around Southampton Island and An understanding of abundance and along the northwest coast of Hudson population trend is needed to make Bay. This survey will also test some new informed decisions for harvest man- developments to see if we can improve agement, evaluating industrial impact our estimates of abundance. Walrus surveys are complex. The basic design is to fly over areas where they are resting and to photograph ani- BY THE END OF THE CEN- mals at the haulout sites for later count- TURY, ATLANTIC WALRUS- ing in the laboratory. To determine which areas should be surveyed we ES HAD BEEN EXTIRPATED review the literature to determine which islands they use as haulout sites and we FROM THE GULF OF ST build on this through consultations with hunters to determine if new sites have LAWRENCE AND SITES ON been colonized or if certain sites have CANADA’S EAST COAST been abandoned. The number of wal- ➤

The Circle 2.2017 21 Photo: Staffan Widstrand / WWF Photo: Staffan

TheCircle0217.indd 21 06.07.2017 16.48 Coming ashore Diminishing sea ice means polar bears and walrus are spending more time on Figure 1. Location of Atlantic walrus stocks in the eastern Canadian Arctic. The stocks are , West Jones Sound, Penny Strait-, Hudson land. Will this lead to more Bay-Davis Strait, and South and East . The North and Central Foxe conflict between the two Basin stocks are surveyed together and are referred to as Foxe Basin (Adapted species? GEOFF YORK exam- from Stewart et al. 2013) Stewart, R.E.A., Hamilton, J.W., and Dunn, J.B. 2013. Results of Foxe Basin walrus (Odobenus rosmarus rosmarus) surveys: 2010-2011. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Res. Doc. 2013/017: iv + 12 pp. ines the evidence.

➤ ruses hauled out at any single moment via satellite which will allow for real- IT HAS LONG BEEN surmised that as the can be quite variable and is thought to time data collection over multiple days. Arctic warms and sea ice recedes, more be affected by local conditions, social If successful, multiple counts from the polar bears will spend longer time on behaviour, and environmental factors. remote cameras will provide greater shore throughout their range. This is At key haulout locations we plan to visit insights into the numbers of walruses supported by recent research using the site multiple times. Multiple counts using a haulout site and how these movements data from polar bears in will provide more information on how numbers might vary in a way that is not the Southern Beaufort and Chukchi the number of animals at a site might feasible using an aerial survey aircraft. Seas along with anecdotal reports of vary. However, multiple visits are not Multiple installations could also offer increased sightings and encounters. always feasible, so we are proposing to long term monitoring opportunities Much thought and some new projects install remote cameras at certain test which might be more cost effective than have focused on what this likely means sites. These will be programmed to using aircraft to cover large areas at for conflict between people and polar transmit images of hauled out walruses considerable expense. l bears, while other research has also

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TheCircle0217.indd 22 06.07.2017 16.48 bears and walrus within meters of one another on more than one occasion while working in the Russian Arctic. In one situation, an incredibly well fed male was feasting on carcasses adjacent to a haulout estimated at over 80,000 animals. Neither the bear or the living walrus appeared to pay one anoth- er much attention, though I imagine the walrus, mostly females and calves, were keeping a watchful eye. In both other cases, the herds were smaller and the haulouts more traditional: adult males dominated the use of land while females and younger walrus stayed close to or in the water, at least when a bear was pres- ent. At both sites, an adult male polar bear could simply walk up to within a Photo: Sergei Kaviry Maintaining a respectful distance; looking for easy prey. few meters of the male walrus and lie down and observe, likely assessing the situation for any easy targets, but an highlighted the potential impacts to if not millennia. When walruses are at attempted predation was not observed. shore dwelling birds and bears. Less sea and using the ice as a resting and So what can we expect as more polar thought has been given to the potential rearing platform, they tend to occur in bears and more walrus spend more impacts on other marine mammals lower numbers and are continuously time ashore? Likely more skirmishes as such as walrus who are also increasingly in motion with the sea ice, distributing either inexperienced bears, or those in forced to spend more time on land. their foraging across the Chukchi. As poor shape, take more risks in attempts Pacific walrus have shown signs of lack of sea ice forces the animals ashore, to secure food. shifting distribution with historically the new haulouts can number 20,000- A small number GEOFF YORK large or new haulouts reported in both 70,000 individuals or more. of polar bears is Polar Bear Chukotka and Alaska. While use of On land and in herds of this size, will also benefit International’s land is nothing new, traditionally these walruses are prone to stampede events greatly from Senior Director haulouts were composed of males, the that endanger young and old, resulting increased car- of Conservation haulouts were much smaller in size, in increased mortality of females and cass availabil- and were not dominated by females and new calves. The presence of walrus and ity. However, calves as is now the case. This is entirely of carcasses is a strong attractant for the greatest threat to both species will new and likely tied to the retreat of sea polar bears. These species have evolved remain the loss of sea ice habitat. As the ice beyond the productive continental together in a sea ice dominated system Arctic continues to warm at a pace more shelf – a key feature of the vast and rela- but an adult male walrus can more than than double that of the global average, tively shallow Chukchi Sea that defined match most polar bears with its size, the fundamental ecosystem that wal- this largely benthic system for decades strength, incredibly tough hide, and rus and polar bears evolved to exploit dangerous tusks. They can and do mor- is being pulled out from under them. tally injure polar bears so it is common This exposes both species to increased to see bears showing deference to adult foraging costs, factors that decrease THE FUNDAMENTAL walrus. As with seals and small whales, reproductive success, and that increase in open water the advantage goes clearly mortality: fundamental shifts to the eco- ECOSYSTEM THAT WAL- to the walrus. Young, injured, or sick system itself; new disease vectors; and walrus are another matter and can eas- competition from what were historically RUS AND POLAR BEARS ily fall prey to a savvy bear while car- southern species. The last walrus will casses from stampede events or other not likely be taken by the last polar bear, EVOLVED TO EXPLOIT natural mortalities can provide a verita- rather they will both be greatly reduced IS BEING PULLED OUT ble bounty for polar bears lucky enough in range and numbers unless warming to encounter them along the coast. and subsequent loss of sea ice can be FROM UNDER THEM I have had the fortune to observe polar stabilized or reversed. l

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TheCircle0217.indd 23 06.07.2017 16.48 Return WWF Arctic Programme 275 Slater Street, Suite 810, Ottawa ON, K1P 5H9, CANADA

THE PICTURE Carved in ivory Photo: Staffan Widstrand / WWF Photo: Staffan

Chukchi carving in walrus tusk ivory, depicting walrus and whale hunters.

Why we are here To stop the degradation of the planet’s natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature.

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