A large and noisy walrus group amidst an aggregation of groups
Detailed Description
Alarge, active, and noisy walrus group hauled on sea ice in the Chukchi Sea. USGS and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service conducted joint research expeditions in 2023, 2024, and 2025 to collect data on the Pacific walrus population. Skin biopsy samples are collected from walruses hauled-out on sea ice to help scientists estimate population abundance and trend. Age structure data is also collected from walruses hauled-out on sea ice, which will help scientists estimate survival. MMPA Permit 33776D.
Sources/Usage
Public Domain.
Photographer: William Beatty, USGS
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Q&A: Vessel Expedition for Estimates of Pacific Walrus Demography
Adult female and juvenile Pacific walruses reside in the northern Bering Sea and Chukchi Sea in the late spring and summer. In June of 2025, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the USGS will again conduct a walrus research expedition on the Research Vessel Norseman II. The expedition will depart from Nome, Alaska on June 2, 2025, and return to Nome on June 30, 2025. The research expedition will...
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Q&A: Vessel Expedition for Estimates of Pacific Walrus Demography
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