USGS is flying drones for science, small uncrewed areal systems (sUAS), to surveys walruses when they rest on shore. The sUAS makes minimal sound due it is broad wing and is flown high above the walrus herds to enables survey data collection with minimal risk to walruses.
If you have questions about walrus research or media inquiries regarding the USGS Alaska Science Center, please contact Yvette Gillies or Paul Laustsen.
Return to Media/Outreach or Walrus Research
We appreciate all the interest in the USGS research on Walrus. You can find videos, news releases, USGS top stories and fact sheets on this page and under the news and publications tabs.
Recorded Video Talk: Pacific Walruses: Responding to Change? Strait Science, April 2023
USGS and USFWS biologists conducted a series of joint research cruises from 2013-2017 to study Pacific walrus population dynamics. This joint presentation is on past, current, and future Pacific walrus research in the Bering Strait including results from these research cruises, the 2023 field season, and the upcoming 2024 research cruise.
Walrus Videos
Tracking Pacific Walrus: Expedition to the Shrinking Chukchi Sea Ice (July 2012)
B-roll Videos
- Walrus Coastal Haulout Video B-roll (combined) - (October 2018)
- USGS Science: Walrus Haul-Out, August 2011.
- Walruses at Point Lay, September 2010.
- Walrus Radio Tagging 2012, B-roll, and Reel 1A - (July 2012)
Audio Clips
Audio clips from walruses hauled out on the northwest coast of Alaska
Note: These audio clips have been released into the public domain by the U.S. Geological Survey. If you wish to use any of the audio clips please credit Anthony Fischbach, USGS. public domain
Below are other science projects associated with this project.
Walrus Research
Changing Arctic Ecosystems
Q&A: Vessel Cruise for Estimates of Pacific Walrus Demography
Q&A: Estimates of Abundance for Pacific Walrus
Media/Outreach at the Alaska Science Center
If you have questions about upcoming events, research, or media inquiries regarding the USGS Alaska Science Center please contact Yvette Gillies.
Below are multimedia items associated with this project.
USGS is flying drones for science, small uncrewed areal systems (sUAS), to surveys walruses when they rest on shore. The sUAS makes minimal sound due it is broad wing and is flown high above the walrus herds to enables survey data collection with minimal risk to walruses.
Two adult walrus carcasses on the beach observed during the summer after a large group of walruses had rested on shore. USGS is collaborating with the North Slope Borough Department of Wildlife Management to screen walruses for wildlife diseases and algal toxins. The University of Alaska Fairbanks is collaborating with USGS to validate drone survey metho
Two adult walrus carcasses on the beach observed during the summer after a large group of walruses had rested on shore. USGS is collaborating with the North Slope Borough Department of Wildlife Management to screen walruses for wildlife diseases and algal toxins. The University of Alaska Fairbanks is collaborating with USGS to validate drone survey metho
Figure showing two Capella Space Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite images of a walrus haulout in Russia during and after walrus occupancy. USGS has found that SAR imagery can detect walruses when they rest on shore in large numbers and is pursuing studies to understand how satellite imagery can support improved management of the Pacific walrus.
Figure showing two Capella Space Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite images of a walrus haulout in Russia during and after walrus occupancy. USGS has found that SAR imagery can detect walruses when they rest on shore in large numbers and is pursuing studies to understand how satellite imagery can support improved management of the Pacific walrus.
Figure comparing Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite images of Pacific walruses on a terrestrial haulout near Point Lay, Alaska, as collected by four different SAR instruments possessing different spatial resolution capabilities (Sentinel-1, Radarsat-2, TerraSAR-X, and Capella Space).
Figure comparing Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite images of Pacific walruses on a terrestrial haulout near Point Lay, Alaska, as collected by four different SAR instruments possessing different spatial resolution capabilities (Sentinel-1, Radarsat-2, TerraSAR-X, and Capella Space).
Indianapolis Zoo marine mammal trainers, Erika Allen and Sydney Pitts, measure a healthy female walrus in support of a USGS study that seeks to develop methods to monitor walrus body condition from survey drones flown high above walruses where they rest on shore. With this new tool, USGS intends to examine the environmental factors that affect walrus body condi
Indianapolis Zoo marine mammal trainers, Erika Allen and Sydney Pitts, measure a healthy female walrus in support of a USGS study that seeks to develop methods to monitor walrus body condition from survey drones flown high above walruses where they rest on shore. With this new tool, USGS intends to examine the environmental factors that affect walrus body condi
A group of Pacific walruses during summer in the Chukchi Sea
A group of Pacific walruses during summer in the Chukchi Sea
Pacific walruses resting on the beach of the eastern shore of the Chukchi Sea (Photo taken during USGS research efforts permitted under US Fish and Wildlife Service Permit No. MA801652-7.)
Pacific walruses resting on the beach of the eastern shore of the Chukchi Sea (Photo taken during USGS research efforts permitted under US Fish and Wildlife Service Permit No. MA801652-7.)
Pacific walruses resting in the water on the eastern shore of the Chukchi Sea (Photo taken during USGS research efforts permitted under US Fish and Wildlife Service Permit No. MA801652-7.)
Pacific walruses resting in the water on the eastern shore of the Chukchi Sea (Photo taken during USGS research efforts permitted under US Fish and Wildlife Service Permit No. MA801652-7.)
Pacific walruses jousting with their tusks on the eastern shore of the Chukchi Sea (Photo taken during USGS research efforts permitted under US Fish and Wildlife Service Permit No. MA801652-7.)
Pacific walruses jousting with their tusks on the eastern shore of the Chukchi Sea (Photo taken during USGS research efforts permitted under US Fish and Wildlife Service Permit No. MA801652-7.)
Pacific walruses resting on the beach of the eastern shore of the Chukchi Sea (Photo taken during USGS research efforts permitted under US Fish and Wildlife Service Permit No. MA801652-7.)
Pacific walruses resting on the beach of the eastern shore of the Chukchi Sea (Photo taken during USGS research efforts permitted under US Fish and Wildlife Service Permit No. MA801652-7.)
Pacific walruses hauled out on the beach of the eastern shore of the Chukchi Sea (Photo taken during USGS research efforts permitted under US Fish and Wildlife Service Permit No. MA801652-7.)
Pacific walruses hauled out on the beach of the eastern shore of the Chukchi Sea (Photo taken during USGS research efforts permitted under US Fish and Wildlife Service Permit No. MA801652-7.)
Pacific walruses resting on the beach of the eastern shore of the Chukchi Sea (Photo taken during USGS research efforts permitted under US Fish and Wildlife Service Permit No. MA801652-7.)
Pacific walruses resting on the beach of the eastern shore of the Chukchi Sea (Photo taken during USGS research efforts permitted under US Fish and Wildlife Service Permit No. MA801652-7.)
Pacific walruses resting on the beach of the eastern shore of the Chukchi Sea (Photo taken during USGS research efforts permitted under US Fish and Wildlife Service Permit No. MA801652-7.)
Pacific walruses resting on the beach of the eastern shore of the Chukchi Sea (Photo taken during USGS research efforts permitted under US Fish and Wildlife Service Permit No. MA801652-7.)
USGS wildlife biologist, Anthony Fischbach, piloting an unmanned aerial system (UAS) for use in surveying walruses while they rest on shore. The UAS is flown above 300 feet altitude such that it enables survey data collection with minimal risk to the walruses.
USGS wildlife biologist, Anthony Fischbach, piloting an unmanned aerial system (UAS) for use in surveying walruses while they rest on shore. The UAS is flown above 300 feet altitude such that it enables survey data collection with minimal risk to the walruses.
A young male Pacific walrus resting on the beach of the eastern shore of the Chukchi Sea (Photo taken during USGS research efforts permitted under US Fish and Wildlife Service Permit No. MA801652-7.)
A young male Pacific walrus resting on the beach of the eastern shore of the Chukchi Sea (Photo taken during USGS research efforts permitted under US Fish and Wildlife Service Permit No. MA801652-7.)
A young male Pacific walrus moving up the beach of the eastern shore of the Chukchi Sea (Photo taken during USGS research efforts permitted under US Fish and Wildlife Service Permit No. MA801652-7.)
A young male Pacific walrus moving up the beach of the eastern shore of the Chukchi Sea (Photo taken during USGS research efforts permitted under US Fish and Wildlife Service Permit No. MA801652-7.)
An adult female Pacific walrus resting on the beach of the eastern shore of the Chukchi Sea (Photo taken during USGS research efforts permitted under US Fish and Wildlife Service Permit No. MA801652-7.)
An adult female Pacific walrus resting on the beach of the eastern shore of the Chukchi Sea (Photo taken during USGS research efforts permitted under US Fish and Wildlife Service Permit No. MA801652-7.)
When sea ice is absent in the Chukchi Sea region, walruses gather in large numbers along the northwestern coast of Alaska to rest on shore. USGS has worked with local communities and partners across the Bering Strait to develop methods to estimate regional abundance of walruses using these coastal haulouts and to understand the population consequences of resti
When sea ice is absent in the Chukchi Sea region, walruses gather in large numbers along the northwestern coast of Alaska to rest on shore. USGS has worked with local communities and partners across the Bering Strait to develop methods to estimate regional abundance of walruses using these coastal haulouts and to understand the population consequences of resti
More than 1,500 walruses resting on shore at Cape Grieg in southeastern Bristol Bay.
More than 1,500 walruses resting on shore at Cape Grieg in southeastern Bristol Bay.
Pacific walrus hauled out on sea ice in the Chukchi Sea.
Pacific walrus hauled out on sea ice in the Chukchi Sea.
Walrus bellowing while on shore in 2013 in the Eastern Chukchi Sea.
Walrus bellowing while on shore in 2013 in the Eastern Chukchi Sea.
Below are publications associated with Pacific walrus research.
U.S. Geological Survey Arctic ecosystem assessments
Giardia and Cryptosporidium in resident wildlife species in Arctic Alaska
Effects of feeding and habitat on resting metabolic rates of the Pacific walrus
Exploring effects of vessels on walrus behaviors using telemetry, automatic identification system data and matching
Estimating Pacific walrus abundance and survival with multievent mark-recapture models
Arctic marine ecosystems are undergoing rapid physical and biological change associated with climate warming and loss of sea ice. Sea ice loss will impact many species through altered spatial and temporal availability of resources. In the Bering and Chukchi Seas, the Pacific walrus Odobenus rosmarus divergens is one species that could be impacted by rapid environmental change, and thus, population
Regional walrus abundance estimate in the United States Chukchi Sea in autumn
Subsurface swimming and stationary diving are metabolically cheap in adult Pacific walruses (Odobenus rosmarus divergens)
Evaluation of satellite imagery for monitoring Pacific walruses at a large coastal haulout
Variability of lipids and fatty acids in Pacific walrus blubber
DNA metabarcoding of feces to infer summer diet of Pacific walruses
A multi-species synthesis of satellite telemetry data in the Pacific Arctic (1987–2015): Overlap of marine mammal distributions and core use areas
Demography of the Pacific walrus (Odobenus rosmarus divergens) in a changing Arctic
Forecasting consequences of changing sea ice availability for Pacific walruses
Below are news releases associated with Walrus Research.
If you have questions about walrus research or media inquiries regarding the USGS Alaska Science Center, please contact Yvette Gillies or Paul Laustsen.
Return to Media/Outreach or Walrus Research
We appreciate all the interest in the USGS research on Walrus. You can find videos, news releases, USGS top stories and fact sheets on this page and under the news and publications tabs.
Recorded Video Talk: Pacific Walruses: Responding to Change? Strait Science, April 2023
USGS and USFWS biologists conducted a series of joint research cruises from 2013-2017 to study Pacific walrus population dynamics. This joint presentation is on past, current, and future Pacific walrus research in the Bering Strait including results from these research cruises, the 2023 field season, and the upcoming 2024 research cruise.
Walrus Videos
Tracking Pacific Walrus: Expedition to the Shrinking Chukchi Sea Ice (July 2012)
B-roll Videos
- Walrus Coastal Haulout Video B-roll (combined) - (October 2018)
- USGS Science: Walrus Haul-Out, August 2011.
- Walruses at Point Lay, September 2010.
- Walrus Radio Tagging 2012, B-roll, and Reel 1A - (July 2012)
Audio Clips
Audio clips from walruses hauled out on the northwest coast of Alaska
Note: These audio clips have been released into the public domain by the U.S. Geological Survey. If you wish to use any of the audio clips please credit Anthony Fischbach, USGS. public domain
Below are other science projects associated with this project.
Walrus Research
Changing Arctic Ecosystems
Q&A: Vessel Cruise for Estimates of Pacific Walrus Demography
Q&A: Estimates of Abundance for Pacific Walrus
Media/Outreach at the Alaska Science Center
If you have questions about upcoming events, research, or media inquiries regarding the USGS Alaska Science Center please contact Yvette Gillies.
Below are multimedia items associated with this project.
USGS is flying drones for science, small uncrewed areal systems (sUAS), to surveys walruses when they rest on shore. The sUAS makes minimal sound due it is broad wing and is flown high above the walrus herds to enables survey data collection with minimal risk to walruses.
USGS is flying drones for science, small uncrewed areal systems (sUAS), to surveys walruses when they rest on shore. The sUAS makes minimal sound due it is broad wing and is flown high above the walrus herds to enables survey data collection with minimal risk to walruses.
Two adult walrus carcasses on the beach observed during the summer after a large group of walruses had rested on shore. USGS is collaborating with the North Slope Borough Department of Wildlife Management to screen walruses for wildlife diseases and algal toxins. The University of Alaska Fairbanks is collaborating with USGS to validate drone survey metho
Two adult walrus carcasses on the beach observed during the summer after a large group of walruses had rested on shore. USGS is collaborating with the North Slope Borough Department of Wildlife Management to screen walruses for wildlife diseases and algal toxins. The University of Alaska Fairbanks is collaborating with USGS to validate drone survey metho
Figure showing two Capella Space Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite images of a walrus haulout in Russia during and after walrus occupancy. USGS has found that SAR imagery can detect walruses when they rest on shore in large numbers and is pursuing studies to understand how satellite imagery can support improved management of the Pacific walrus.
Figure showing two Capella Space Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite images of a walrus haulout in Russia during and after walrus occupancy. USGS has found that SAR imagery can detect walruses when they rest on shore in large numbers and is pursuing studies to understand how satellite imagery can support improved management of the Pacific walrus.
Figure comparing Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite images of Pacific walruses on a terrestrial haulout near Point Lay, Alaska, as collected by four different SAR instruments possessing different spatial resolution capabilities (Sentinel-1, Radarsat-2, TerraSAR-X, and Capella Space).
Figure comparing Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite images of Pacific walruses on a terrestrial haulout near Point Lay, Alaska, as collected by four different SAR instruments possessing different spatial resolution capabilities (Sentinel-1, Radarsat-2, TerraSAR-X, and Capella Space).
Indianapolis Zoo marine mammal trainers, Erika Allen and Sydney Pitts, measure a healthy female walrus in support of a USGS study that seeks to develop methods to monitor walrus body condition from survey drones flown high above walruses where they rest on shore. With this new tool, USGS intends to examine the environmental factors that affect walrus body condi
Indianapolis Zoo marine mammal trainers, Erika Allen and Sydney Pitts, measure a healthy female walrus in support of a USGS study that seeks to develop methods to monitor walrus body condition from survey drones flown high above walruses where they rest on shore. With this new tool, USGS intends to examine the environmental factors that affect walrus body condi
A group of Pacific walruses during summer in the Chukchi Sea
A group of Pacific walruses during summer in the Chukchi Sea
Pacific walruses resting on the beach of the eastern shore of the Chukchi Sea (Photo taken during USGS research efforts permitted under US Fish and Wildlife Service Permit No. MA801652-7.)
Pacific walruses resting on the beach of the eastern shore of the Chukchi Sea (Photo taken during USGS research efforts permitted under US Fish and Wildlife Service Permit No. MA801652-7.)
Pacific walruses resting in the water on the eastern shore of the Chukchi Sea (Photo taken during USGS research efforts permitted under US Fish and Wildlife Service Permit No. MA801652-7.)
Pacific walruses resting in the water on the eastern shore of the Chukchi Sea (Photo taken during USGS research efforts permitted under US Fish and Wildlife Service Permit No. MA801652-7.)
Pacific walruses jousting with their tusks on the eastern shore of the Chukchi Sea (Photo taken during USGS research efforts permitted under US Fish and Wildlife Service Permit No. MA801652-7.)
Pacific walruses jousting with their tusks on the eastern shore of the Chukchi Sea (Photo taken during USGS research efforts permitted under US Fish and Wildlife Service Permit No. MA801652-7.)
Pacific walruses resting on the beach of the eastern shore of the Chukchi Sea (Photo taken during USGS research efforts permitted under US Fish and Wildlife Service Permit No. MA801652-7.)
Pacific walruses resting on the beach of the eastern shore of the Chukchi Sea (Photo taken during USGS research efforts permitted under US Fish and Wildlife Service Permit No. MA801652-7.)
Pacific walruses hauled out on the beach of the eastern shore of the Chukchi Sea (Photo taken during USGS research efforts permitted under US Fish and Wildlife Service Permit No. MA801652-7.)
Pacific walruses hauled out on the beach of the eastern shore of the Chukchi Sea (Photo taken during USGS research efforts permitted under US Fish and Wildlife Service Permit No. MA801652-7.)
Pacific walruses resting on the beach of the eastern shore of the Chukchi Sea (Photo taken during USGS research efforts permitted under US Fish and Wildlife Service Permit No. MA801652-7.)
Pacific walruses resting on the beach of the eastern shore of the Chukchi Sea (Photo taken during USGS research efforts permitted under US Fish and Wildlife Service Permit No. MA801652-7.)
Pacific walruses resting on the beach of the eastern shore of the Chukchi Sea (Photo taken during USGS research efforts permitted under US Fish and Wildlife Service Permit No. MA801652-7.)
Pacific walruses resting on the beach of the eastern shore of the Chukchi Sea (Photo taken during USGS research efforts permitted under US Fish and Wildlife Service Permit No. MA801652-7.)
USGS wildlife biologist, Anthony Fischbach, piloting an unmanned aerial system (UAS) for use in surveying walruses while they rest on shore. The UAS is flown above 300 feet altitude such that it enables survey data collection with minimal risk to the walruses.
USGS wildlife biologist, Anthony Fischbach, piloting an unmanned aerial system (UAS) for use in surveying walruses while they rest on shore. The UAS is flown above 300 feet altitude such that it enables survey data collection with minimal risk to the walruses.
A young male Pacific walrus resting on the beach of the eastern shore of the Chukchi Sea (Photo taken during USGS research efforts permitted under US Fish and Wildlife Service Permit No. MA801652-7.)
A young male Pacific walrus resting on the beach of the eastern shore of the Chukchi Sea (Photo taken during USGS research efforts permitted under US Fish and Wildlife Service Permit No. MA801652-7.)
A young male Pacific walrus moving up the beach of the eastern shore of the Chukchi Sea (Photo taken during USGS research efforts permitted under US Fish and Wildlife Service Permit No. MA801652-7.)
A young male Pacific walrus moving up the beach of the eastern shore of the Chukchi Sea (Photo taken during USGS research efforts permitted under US Fish and Wildlife Service Permit No. MA801652-7.)
An adult female Pacific walrus resting on the beach of the eastern shore of the Chukchi Sea (Photo taken during USGS research efforts permitted under US Fish and Wildlife Service Permit No. MA801652-7.)
An adult female Pacific walrus resting on the beach of the eastern shore of the Chukchi Sea (Photo taken during USGS research efforts permitted under US Fish and Wildlife Service Permit No. MA801652-7.)
When sea ice is absent in the Chukchi Sea region, walruses gather in large numbers along the northwestern coast of Alaska to rest on shore. USGS has worked with local communities and partners across the Bering Strait to develop methods to estimate regional abundance of walruses using these coastal haulouts and to understand the population consequences of resti
When sea ice is absent in the Chukchi Sea region, walruses gather in large numbers along the northwestern coast of Alaska to rest on shore. USGS has worked with local communities and partners across the Bering Strait to develop methods to estimate regional abundance of walruses using these coastal haulouts and to understand the population consequences of resti
More than 1,500 walruses resting on shore at Cape Grieg in southeastern Bristol Bay.
More than 1,500 walruses resting on shore at Cape Grieg in southeastern Bristol Bay.
Pacific walrus hauled out on sea ice in the Chukchi Sea.
Pacific walrus hauled out on sea ice in the Chukchi Sea.
Walrus bellowing while on shore in 2013 in the Eastern Chukchi Sea.
Walrus bellowing while on shore in 2013 in the Eastern Chukchi Sea.
Below are publications associated with Pacific walrus research.
U.S. Geological Survey Arctic ecosystem assessments
Giardia and Cryptosporidium in resident wildlife species in Arctic Alaska
Effects of feeding and habitat on resting metabolic rates of the Pacific walrus
Exploring effects of vessels on walrus behaviors using telemetry, automatic identification system data and matching
Estimating Pacific walrus abundance and survival with multievent mark-recapture models
Arctic marine ecosystems are undergoing rapid physical and biological change associated with climate warming and loss of sea ice. Sea ice loss will impact many species through altered spatial and temporal availability of resources. In the Bering and Chukchi Seas, the Pacific walrus Odobenus rosmarus divergens is one species that could be impacted by rapid environmental change, and thus, population
Regional walrus abundance estimate in the United States Chukchi Sea in autumn
Subsurface swimming and stationary diving are metabolically cheap in adult Pacific walruses (Odobenus rosmarus divergens)
Evaluation of satellite imagery for monitoring Pacific walruses at a large coastal haulout
Variability of lipids and fatty acids in Pacific walrus blubber
DNA metabarcoding of feces to infer summer diet of Pacific walruses
A multi-species synthesis of satellite telemetry data in the Pacific Arctic (1987–2015): Overlap of marine mammal distributions and core use areas
Demography of the Pacific walrus (Odobenus rosmarus divergens) in a changing Arctic
Forecasting consequences of changing sea ice availability for Pacific walruses
Below are news releases associated with Walrus Research.