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Melting Ice Forces Thousands of Walruses Ashore

Calves at risk of being trampled as animals squeeze onto Alaska coast

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Sep 14, 2010 3:21 AM CDT | Updated Sep 14, 2010 6:15 AM CDT

(Newser) – Tens of thousands of walruses have squeezed onto small patches of Alaska's shore because of melting ice floes. Scientists say the loss of sea ice has forced the lumbering creatures into a mass migration to land. The huge number of walruses foraging in a small area makes cubs extremely vulnerable to being trampled, the Guardian reports.

Similar migrations happened in 2007 and 2009, when sea ice was also at or near record low levels. "When they no longer have a place to rest, they need to go some place and it's a long commute," a US Geological Survey biologist tells AP. "This is directly related to the lack of sea ice." Officials are trying to reroute flights to avoid spooking the animals.

USGS Wildlife Biologist Tony Fischbach lies on the beach observing a tagged walrus near Point Lay, Alaska. (AP Photo/U.S. Geological Survey)

A walrus calf looking out from the group at the beach line near Point Lay, Alaska. (AP Photo/U.S. Geological Survey)

Walruses crowd the beach near Point Lay, Alaska. (AP Photo/U.S. Geological Survey)

Walruses huddle on barrier island near Point Lay, Alaska. (AP Photo/U.S. Geological Survey)

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Melting Ice Forces Thousands of Walruses Ashore

Calves at risk of being trampled as animals squeeze onto Alaska coast

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