Unusual numbers of walrus carcasses are being found with heads and tusks missing. Sea ice melt leaves calves with nowhere to rest.
The walrus (Odobenus rosmarus) is not an endangered species but it is protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act and may not be hunted, except by native subsistence hunters. There is a prohibition included in the subsistence hunting law against wasteful take, ie a certain percentage of the animal must be utilized. This prohibition was specifically included to prevent animals from being killed for their tusks.
This year there have been twice as many headless walrus carcasses found on Alaska’s beaches as any other year in the last 10. Removing only the head and tusks is obviously wasteful take. But it is unlikely that there is any market for the rest of the walrus anymore. Carved ivory pieces, however, are very popular. A quick online search showed at least seven different companies selling Native American ivory carvings. So the temptation to take only what will be used is great.
Added to the wasteful take issue is a report that sea ice melts in areas of the continental shelf where walrus feed, are causing separation of mothers and calves. For the first time lone calves were seen swimming alone. Walrus calves rest on the sea ice while their mothers feed. Continued loss of resting places results in separation of mothers and their calves who are dependent on milk for two years.
If we are to prevent species from ending up on the Endangered list or going extinct we will have to look at threats to species before they reach the point of being endangered. For the walrus, the traditional subsistence take has not been a problem. Wasteful take combined with climate change are a different matter.
