Wild Animals

Wild Walrus Climate and Hauling Grounds

Pacific walruses are increasingly forced onto land as Arctic sea ice retreats, creating dangerous overcrowding on haul-out beaches with significant welfare consequences.

Key Facts

Pacific walruses use sea ice as resting platforms between foraging dives
Arctic sea ice loss is forcing walruses onto coastal beaches in unprecedented numbers
Stampedes on crowded beaches kill hundreds of calves annually as animals flee perceived threats
Point Lay in Alaska has become a major haul-out site with tens of thousands of walruses
Walrus populations face multiple stressors including reduced prey access from warming waters

Welfare Considerations

Beach haul-outs lack the distributed resting space of sea ice, concentrating walruses in dangerous densities. Stampede events triggered by disturbance - including low-flying aircraft - kill calves that are trampled. Calves separated from mothers in large haul-outs may starve. Noise disturbance from human activity triggers the fatal stampede response. The welfare harm from climate-driven sea ice loss is direct, immediate, and affecting thousands of individuals annually.

What You Can Do

Support climate action to preserve Arctic sea ice as the primary welfare intervention
Never fly aircraft low over walrus haul-out sites - maintain at least 1500 feet altitude
Support regulations protecting walrus haul-out sites from human disturbance
Donate to walrus research organisations monitoring population health and behaviour
Raise awareness about walrus as a climate change welfare indicator species