A preliminary report issued last week by federal and local biologists and veterinarians from the U.S. Geographic Survey (USGS), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), Alaska SeaLife Center and the North Slope Borough Department of Wildlife Management, found the 131 walruses likely died from being trampled to death by other walruses. The dead animals, mostly calves and yearlings, were spotted in September on Icy Cape on the Chukchi Sea, southwest of Barrow, Alaska.
Because walruses cannot swim indefinitely, sea ice is often used as a platform. As a result of global warming, the sea ice has receded, forcing many walruses to crowd onto beaches and rocks. It is believed the young walruses were forced onto the northwest coast of Alaska by the loss of sea ice.
When a herd is startled by hunters, airplanes or bears, young walruses can be injured or killed in stampedes. According to the report, the examination on 71 carcasses and nine detailed necropsies revealed the animals had 
most likely been trampled by other walruses in a stampede. Signs included extensive bruising to the neck and chest muscles and one animal had a fractured skull. Although some of the carcasses had been scavenged by bears, it is unknown if the predators caused the disturbance that led to the stampede. Exhaustion or being separated from their mother may have also contributed to the walruses deaths. There was no evidence of human activities or hunting at the scene.
World Wildlife Fund’s lead Arctic species biologist Geoff York said that due to the rapid melting of sea ice, walruses are being forced to congregate on land in “massive” numbers. “This is a very dangerous situation as it can lead to stampedes and the trampling of walruses. As is evidenced by the Icy Cape situation, young walruses are particularly vulnerable,” York said. In September, York witnessed nearly 20,000 walruses congregating on Cape Schmidt, in Russia.
Walrus herd photo by Ansgar Walk
Bull photo by Ansgar Walk
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