Walrus are magnificent Arctic giants that can weigh up to 2 tonnes. Their tusks never stop growing throughout their lifetimes, and can measure up to a metre long. A walrus skeleton is surrounded by a thick layer of blubber which helps to keep them warm in the cold waters they call home.
Are walruses endangered?
Walrus are not officially considered endangered. However, scientists have been imploring governments around the world to protect this magical species under the Endangered Species Act. As global warming ravishes their habitat, their population is declining.
Studies show that sea ice is melting at a rate unmatched by any point in the last 1,500 years; shrinking by roughly 12.6% each decade. The Arctic is warming four times faster than anywhere else on the planet, and in the next 10 years, sea ice could be completely gone. This is truly frightening.
Walrus rely on sea ice to conduct courtship, give birth, raise their young, and rest during foraging. The longer and hotter summers mean that sea ice-free season has grown longer; walrus must now come ashore to haul-out sites to carry out some of their most important behaviours.
What are haul-out sites?
Haul-out sites are sites and beaches where walrus and other pinnipeds come ashore. Young calves often die before making it or get trampled by thundering stampedes once aground. Calves also face human and polar bear threat while on land.
What can we do to help?
The best way to help walrus is to curb global warming. While we have done irreparable damage to our planet, we’ve still got a chance to limit the lasting effects the climate change crisis will have on the Earth. If we can keep global temperature rise to below 1.5 degrees Celsius, stop polluting our oceans, and raise awareness about and limit human access to haul-out sites, walrus might just survive. This is a daunting time to be a walrus: we must help these incredible animals before it’s too late.
