The Arctic sea ice has reached the third-lowest level ever recorded, and according to the Center for Biological Diversity (CBD), up to 200 walruses, mostly new calves and yearlings, are reported dead on the north coast of Alaska near Icy Cape.
“The deaths of these walruses is another wake-up call that we will lose the Arctic if we continue on our current course. Every moment that Washington delays in taking strong action on climate change, it robs the walrus, the Arctic, and Arctic people of a future.” – Shaye Wolf, biologist with the Center for Biological Diversity
The National Snow and Ice Data Center has announced that Arctic summer sea-ice reached a minimum of 5.10 million square km (1.97 million square miles) on September 12, which makes 2009 the third-lowest year on record, right behind 2007 and 2008.
The melting of the sea ice is forcing the Pacific walrus into a land-based existence, something to which it is not adapted – the normal habitat of the walrus is in the Arctic seas between Siberia and Alaska. In 2007, Russian biologists reported between 3,000 and 4,000 dead walruses due to being crushed in stampedes. The younger walruses are most in danger of being trampled when the walruses come to shore because of disappearing sea ice.
In 2007, the early and extensive disappearance of summer sea ice pushed females and calves onto the Russian and Alaskan coasts in abnormally dense herds. Russian biologists reported that 3,000 to 4,000 walruses, mostly young animals, died in 2007 after being crushed to death in stampedes. Last week, U.S. Geological Survey researchers reported a large herd of 3,500 walruses on shore near Icy Cape, as sea ice disappeared over their foraging grounds.
Walruses forage for mussels and clams in shallower waters, and use the sea ice as a platform for resting and nursing their young. Pacific walruses are dependent on the sea ice for their breeding activities, which take place in the winter.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced on September 8 that it would conduct a full status review of the Pacific walrus to determine whether the species warrants the protections of the Endangered Species Act, which must be completed by September 10, 2010 because of a court-ordered settlement. The original case was brought by the CBD to spur a response to their scientific petition protecting the walrus.
“The Arctic is the Earth’s early warning system. If Congress and the Obama administration begin deep and rapid greenhouse pollution reductions now, we can still avert some of the most serious global warming impacts. But the rapid change underway in the Arctic shows that time is running perilously short. – Wolf
Image: flickkerphotos at Flickr
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This is just staggering and heart breaking. I remember swimming with these animals and can’t help but wonder if the generation coming behind me will have the same opportunities.
Leah,
I’ve never had the opportunity se swim with them. But I would like to some day. You’re right, it is heart breaking.