35,000 walruses chill on Alaska shore as ice melts
Source: Reuters
35,000 walruses chill on Alaska shore as ice melts
REUTERS | 02 October, 2014 11:04
Fast-melting Arctic sea ice has forced some 35,000 Pacific walruses to retreat to the Alaska shoreline, scientists from several federal agencies said on Wednesday.
Walruses are accomplished divers and frequently plunge hundreds of feet to the bottom of the continental shelf to feed. But they use sea ice as platforms to give birth, nurse their young and elude predators, and when it is scarce or non-existent they haul themselves up on land.
"One of the differences between this haul out and other ones is the sheer size and number of animals coming to shore," said U.S. Geological Survey ecologist Chadwick Jay.
Such haul outs in areas of the Chukchi Sea, which polar bears also use as platforms for hunting, were first observed along Russia's coasts until Pacific walrus masses began appearing on Alaska's coastline in 2007, U.S. scientists said.
Read more: http://www.timeslive.co.za/scitech/2014/10/02/35000-walruses-chill-on-alaska-shore-as-ice-melts
truthisfreedom
(23,113 posts)We'll see it all come down.
ride with a friend who is a dedicated flushrush nut. was heard on that ones show," THERE IS NOTHING THAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT IT " (referning to global warming 0( sri abt the caps )as he screamed into the mic. points to first posters comment . and the corps dont give a hoot. just like in the movie silent running.
Sunlei
(22,651 posts)Now I bet those 'walrus masses' decline rapidly too. Not enough food for them. Guess the areas fishing boats hate them.
Never imagined in my lifetime I would witness the rapid decline of the entire environment, everything plants/animals.
blkmusclmachine
(16,149 posts)marions ghost
(19,841 posts)Nihil
(13,508 posts)Can't help it though, it also reminded me of a Larry Niven short story: "Bordered in Black".
marions ghost
(19,841 posts)...appropriate. Thank you.
Delphinus
(11,808 posts)I'm SO upset and I don't know what to do. I think about quitting my job, I think about becoming one less person on this earth - I just don't know what to do.
truthisfreedom
(23,113 posts)Don't quit, and don't give up! There's love everywhere!
marions ghost
(19,841 posts)...we need all those who are awake and aware.