35,000 Walrus Come Ashore in Alaska As Sea Ice Retreats

Global warming continues to have a major effect on our planet and the various species that exist within it. About 35,000 Pacific walruses were seen gathered on the shores of Alaska on September 23rd. Recently, experts have stated that the direct cause of this event was triggered by the loss of sea ice in the Arctic. When walruses hunt and cannot find food, they rely on sea ice to rest. However, the retreatment of sea ice posed a threat to their survival so the walruses were forced to find shelter on the shores of Alaska. Lou Lenard, vice president for climate change at the World Wildlife Fund states "We are witnessing a slow-motion catastrophe in the Arctic. As this ice dwindles, the Arctic will experience some of the most dramatic changes our generation has ever witnessed. This loss will impact the annual migration of wildlife through the region, threaten the long-term health of walrus and polar bear populations, and change the lives of those who rely on the Arctic ecosystem for their way of life." It is reported that the Arctic ice coverage reached its lowest point on September 17th, the sixth lowest record since the beginning of Arctic ice coverage records in 1979. Some scientists are skeptical about the direct cause of this phenomena, stating that this is not the first time we have seen walruses gathered in such mass numbers. Scientists will continue to investigate this incident, since it proves to be a major concern among the scientific community.



Link: http://www.wunderground.com/news/alaska-walrus-photos-20141002?