Walrus (Odobenus rosmarus) Herd at Hook Lagoon

Jaclyn Christensen writes:

The walrus count at this location was approximately 500-1000 and looks like they are here to stay well at least for this season of time before they return to the north. The walrus moved their haulout from the first location near The Picnic Area to the recent Hook Lagoon site. The amount at this sighting is much larger than the first and sounded like the group was broken up a bit to various locations like an earlier sighting at The First Cape by teachers and some community member that same day.

I hope FWS and ADFG are keeping a good eye on them. We came across this group on our ATV drive on a nice day after work.

Erica Mitchell writes:

This is the second walrus haulout with-in the past couple of weeks on the Port Heiden beach this month. On April 7th, Jaclyn Christensen posted another observation of a smaller walrus haulout between Strogonof Point and North Creek.

This observation has been shared with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game Division of Wildlife.

Resources:

More information about Pacific walrus characteristics, habitat, and migration can be found at the Alaska Department of Fish and Game Pacific Walrus Species Profile.