Tens of thousands of walruses have pulled themselves out of the Arctic ocean, beaching in never-seen-before numbers on Alaskan Arctic shores. Since the great Arctic sea ice melt of 2007 walruses, unable to hunt for food from the ice, have congregated on Arctic ocean beaches at summer's end. Walruses may be on the path to extinction.
Walrus researchers with the United States Geological Survey estimate there could be anywhere from 10,000 to 20,000 of the mammals currently taking a rest along Alaska's Chukchi coastline. Ferreira, one of about 234 people who call Point Lay home, thinks the numbers may be even higher. Since only about 20 percent of walruses generally come to shore, scientists suspect another 80,000 walruses may be swimming nearby.
photo: USGScontinued at Daily Kos....
