Why are tens of thousands of walruses stuck on Alaska beaches every year?

The situation of thousands of walruses stuck on the beach is a testament to the serious impact of climate change.

Since 2007, every year in September, tens of thousands of Pacific walruses have been trapped massively along the Chukchi coast, Alaska (USA). And this year is still the same!

Why is that?

Normally, walrus spend most of their time on ice sheets. So, if the iceberg moves, they will also move there. Even the walrus can spend a day just in the water looking for food (clams, snails and worms) and then lying casually on the ice.

But miserably, walrus is not a species that can swim continuously. So, between long hunting trips, they need to go to the ice to rest and regain energy.

Walruses piled up on Alaska beach

Woe, the Arctic ice is melting so fast. Now the walrus is in a difficult situation, depleting food sources. Therefore, they no longer live in the Arctic Sea.

So every fall, thousands of walruses are found in Alaska's coast (USA). According to the Department of Wild and Fish (USA), in early August, there were between 25,000 and 40,000 frightened code piled up on the Chukchi coast (Alaska). In particular, this coast is quite far from their hunting grounds.

The more harsh truth, the World Wildlife Fund estimates that, from shallow waters, walruses must travel 250 miles to find food. Thus, the small, old or sick coded fry will definitely give up on such a long trip.

The walrus lives on icebergs.Now that the ice has melted, they have nothing.

The long-term depletion of food will make them starving, malnourished, and even die slowly.

Code is not the only animal that must "go" quite far to hunt. Alaskan polar bears also have such a painful fate. Because the ice melts quickly, they have to move very fast on each ice sheet to the east to find food.

But unlike the single polar bear, the walrus tends to gather into a giant herd along the coast. The concentration into a giant group could be a serious threat to both us and humans.

White bears are also dependent on ice.

Because the walrus is a very sensitive animal . As long as the plane glided over, or the appearance of a nearby boat also made them terrified, running crazy and trampling on each other. According to a report by the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (USA), at least 64 walruses died in 2017 after a stampede.

The situation of sea weeds drifting ashore has consistently outlined the severity of climate change affecting the Arctic habitat.

Therefore, local authorities have to take practical actions to protect the walrus and prevent climate change. They even made a video to educate people about the protection of wild species.