The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has opened a criminal investigation into the deaths of 25 walruses in northwest Alaska, after fielding reports that the mammals were shot by a poacher.
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The corpses were discovered by an employee of the Air Force radar station on the Chukchi sea coast, in Cape Lisburne. There were 12 pups and 13 adults found dead on the beach, many of them headless-their tusks apparently harvested-and locals say some carcasses were found riddled with bullet holes.
Walrus tusks are as valuable as elephant ivory for high-end jewelry manufacturers, while walrus heads are praised items by collectors.
The cause of death has not been determined, said Fish and Wildlife Service spokeswoman Andrea Medeiros, and investigators do not want to speculate. As per reports, only Alaska Natives residing in the state may hunt walrus. The animals could have died in the ocean and washed ashore, she said.
Investigators reached the Chukchi Sea beach Thursday. Nevertheless, the federal authorities permits anybody to acquire the ivory, tooth and bones of the animals which have been discovered lifeless on seashores or on the shore that’s located some quarter of a mile from the water, supplied that they observe a number of guidelines.
“Time is of the essence”, Medeiros said. “We really value walrus”.
Reports of the deaths come as conservationists fear that climate warming has reduced summer sea ice which walrus use as a platform from which to rest and dive for clams, sea snails and other food. According to a recent NOAA reprot, the sea ice in the Arctic hit this year its 4th lowest level on record and situation doesn’t seem to improve.
Walrus are not now considered to be an endangered species, but there are fears over the mammal’s future due to the the melting of summer sea ice. An estimated 35,000 Pacific walrus were photographed September 2 near Point Lay about 100 miles northeast of Cape Lisburne.
As sea ice loses ground northward the animals are trying to keep pace with it and migrate in northern areas.
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When in large herds the animals are known to stampede – sometimes squashing their young – if they are suddenly disturbed.
