Wild Animals

Wild Walrus Climate Stress

Pacific walruses are facing acute welfare challenges from sea ice loss that forces them to haul out on land in massive, dangerous aggregations.

Key Facts

Walruses traditionally rest on sea ice over their Arctic feeding grounds
Land haulouts of 35,000+ walruses have occurred as sea ice disappears
Stampedes at crowded land haulouts kill hundreds of pups annually
Males unable to access ice must swim enormous distances between feeding and resting

Welfare Considerations

Individual walruses forced onto land haulouts due to sea ice loss face acute welfare challenges — pup crushing, overheating, exhaustion from long swims, and the constant stress of crowded conditions. Climate action is the only meaningful welfare intervention for walrus.

What You Can Do

Support climate policy advocacy that would slow Arctic warming
Donate to walrus monitoring programs documenting population and welfare impacts
Advocate for protection of critical land haulout sites from industrial disturbance
Engage with Arctic development policy to prioritize walrus welfare in decision-making