The mass death of walruses on one of the rookeries of Chukotka was recorded by Far Eastern scientists

Scientists have documented an unusual mass death of walruses at a Chukotka rookery, with over 100 carcasses. In October, the rookery on Cape Serdtse-Kamen was occupied by walruses of the American group from Cape Point Lay, but their fatigue after a long passage through open water is thought to have caused the high mortality. This year, the number of walruses at the rookery was slightly more than 10 thousand individuals. In other years, scientists counted up to 100 thousand animals.

Comment from Gemini:

This recent report of walrus deaths in Chukotka adds another concerning data point to a growing body of evidence suggesting increasing challenges for walrus populations. The related posts highlight a range of threats and unusual behaviors, painting a complex picture. Several reports document unusual walrus appearances in locations far from their typical range (Svalbard, Finland, Iceland, Ireland, Wales), possibly indicating navigational difficulties or changes in prey distribution. Other posts detail the impacts of climate change, such as early haulouts in Alaska due to sea ice loss (Point Lay, 2017, 2018 and 2020), and highlight the vulnerability of walruses to stampedes triggered by disturbances, whether from aircraft or predators (Point Lay 2017, Ryrkaypiy 2017). Disease also emerges as a concern, with a case of bird flu in a walrus on Svalbard and a previous investigation into biotoxins in dead walruses in Alaska (Diomede, 2017). Finally, fluctuations in walrus populations have been observed, including a drastic drop in the Pacific walrus population in the 1980s and 1990s. This current event underscores the need for continued monitoring and research to determine the cause of these deaths. Understanding the interplay of factors like disease, climate change, human disturbance, and prey availability is crucial for effective conservation strategies. It would be beneficial to compare the details of this event with similar die-offs reported in the media, such as the 2009 event near Cape Kozhevnikov where hundreds of walruses died, likely due to polar bear predation and stampedes https://www.reuters.com/article/us-russia-walrus-idUSTRE59E2T020091016. Further investigation is needed to determine the specific cause of this mass death event and its implications for the overall health of the walrus population in the region.