Point Lay, Alaska has found itself home to about 10,000 walruses. Due to the fact that the animals have not had large chunks of floating ice to stay on. Without the ice “islands” these walruses have headed for land. This is the 3rd time in 4 years that the animals have had to find a summer resting place on land.
The animal news story for full details is at Melting Ice Turns 10,000 Walruses Into Landlubbers.
The article says that one of the concerns for the animals is stampeding. They have set up special boundaries for aircraft, boats, and I am sure people. These huge animals will frighten easily and the young walruses will be crushed if they do not manage to get out of the way of the 2,000 pound adult females.
Scientist also fear that walruses will have this same problem for years. Maybe even a total lack of Arctic sea ice islands in the years to come. There is even talk of giving the animals extended Endangered Species Act protection.
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