An annual aerial survey conducted by the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) over the Arctic region found some 35,000 walruses moving to the Alaska shoreline. Researchers attributed the phenomenon to ice melting rapidly in the area, as well as the alarming rate by which ocean temperatures are increasing.
The survey saw the animals travelling along the shore of Point Lay, Alaska. The research flight reported that there was no sea ice seen near the area. Walruses often dive to the bottom of the continental shelf to feed, but they use the sea ice nest their young, according to Reuters.
The researchers estimated that around 35,000 walruses went ashore, about 700 miles north of Anchorage since weekend.
"Our best estimate is almost a 24-fold increase," said Megan Ferguson of the Aerial Surveys of Arctic Marine Mammals, to the Associated Press.
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) explained to the Los Angeles Times that massive haul-outs like these leave young walruses in danger of being trampled upon by bigger members of the group. Further, the walruses may resort to finding food near the shoreline, instead of diving deep into the ocean where food sources are more abundant.
On Sept.17, the National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC) reported that Arctic sea ice has reached its lowest level for 2014. The center described it as "the sixth lowest extent in the satellite record and reinforces the long-term downward trend in Arctic ice extent."
On the other hand, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) reported that this could be the largest walrus haul out to be documented by NOAA, breaking the record set for 2012. NOAA has not confirmed this claim. The fast-melting ice was highly linked to shifts caused by climate change.
Aside from the walruses, researchers also observed an increase in the population of the brown bears in the same shoreline.
