Walruses are very social animals and like to be in constant contact with other walruses. Photo taken during USGS research efforts permitted under US Fish and Wildlife Service Permit No. MA801652-3
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
Below are multimedia items associated with this project.
Walruses are very social animals and like to be in constant contact with other walruses. Photo taken during USGS research efforts permitted under US Fish and Wildlife Service Permit No. MA801652-3
Walruses gathered by the tens of thousands in September 2013 to rest on the shores of the Chukchi Sea near the coastal village of Point Lay, Alaska.
Walruses gathered by the tens of thousands in September 2013 to rest on the shores of the Chukchi Sea near the coastal village of Point Lay, Alaska.
Walrus reflections in the water. Taken from a USGS research cruise in the Chukchi Sea,
Walrus reflections in the water. Taken from a USGS research cruise in the Chukchi Sea,
Summer ice retreat in the Chukchi Sea between Alaska and Russia is a significant climate change impact affecting Pacific Walruses, which are being considered for listing as a threatened species. This twelve minute video follows walruses in their summer sea ice habitat and shows how USGS biologists use satellite radio tags to track their movements and behavior.
Summer ice retreat in the Chukchi Sea between Alaska and Russia is a significant climate change impact affecting Pacific Walruses, which are being considered for listing as a threatened species. This twelve minute video follows walruses in their summer sea ice habitat and shows how USGS biologists use satellite radio tags to track their movements and behavior.
Footage of Pacific Walrus, Sea ice, Scientists Tagging Walruses With Radio Tags, Tracking animation.
Footage of Pacific Walrus, Sea ice, Scientists Tagging Walruses With Radio Tags, Tracking animation.
Adult female walruses on ice floe with young.
Adult female walruses on ice floe with young.
Adult female walrus on ice floe photographed shortly after receiving a behavior monitoring satellite-linked radio tag from USGS researchers.
Data acquired from such radio-tags are providing insights on the distribution and behavior of Pacific walruses during a time when their summer sea ice habitat is rapidly changing.
Adult female walrus on ice floe photographed shortly after receiving a behavior monitoring satellite-linked radio tag from USGS researchers.
Data acquired from such radio-tags are providing insights on the distribution and behavior of Pacific walruses during a time when their summer sea ice habitat is rapidly changing.
Adult female walrus on ice floe.
Adult female walrus on ice floe.
Female walruses and their young must haul out of the water to rest between foraging bouts.
Female walruses and their young must haul out of the water to rest between foraging bouts.
Adult female walruses on ice floe with young. Notice the radio tag borne on her her upper mid back.
This tag will monitor resting and foraging behavior and convey the information back to USGS scientists.
Adult female walruses on ice floe with young. Notice the radio tag borne on her her upper mid back.
This tag will monitor resting and foraging behavior and convey the information back to USGS scientists.
Female Pacific walruses and their calves traditionally spend summers far from shore, diving for benthic invertebrates over the shallow continental shelf waters of the Chukchi Sea. These female walruses and their calves prefer to rest between forage bouts on sea ice drifting above their feeding grounds.
Female Pacific walruses and their calves traditionally spend summers far from shore, diving for benthic invertebrates over the shallow continental shelf waters of the Chukchi Sea. These female walruses and their calves prefer to rest between forage bouts on sea ice drifting above their feeding grounds.
During the course of our research on walruses hauled out near Point Lay in
early September, USGS obtained aerial video footage of the
walrus aggregation. This footage was taken from an altitude of 4,000' with
a Cineflex camera by Daniel Zatz, of Zatzworks, on contract to USGS for
During the course of our research on walruses hauled out near Point Lay in
early September, USGS obtained aerial video footage of the
walrus aggregation. This footage was taken from an altitude of 4,000' with
a Cineflex camera by Daniel Zatz, of Zatzworks, on contract to USGS for
Walruses gathered on Alaskan shores of the Chukchi Sea by the tens of thousands in late August and September of 2010 after the last of the sea ice dissipated.
Walruses gathered on Alaskan shores of the Chukchi Sea by the tens of thousands in late August and September of 2010 after the last of the sea ice dissipated.
Walruses gathered on Alaskan shores of the Chukchi Sea by the tens of thousands in late August and September of 2010 after the last of the sea ice dissipated.
Walruses gathered on Alaskan shores of the Chukchi Sea by the tens of thousands in late August and September of 2010 after the last of the sea ice dissipated.
Walruses gathered on Alaskan shores of the Chukchi Sea by the tens of thousands in late August and September of 2010 after the last of the sea ice dissipated.
Walruses gathered on Alaskan shores of the Chukchi Sea by the tens of thousands in late August and September of 2010 after the last of the sea ice dissipated.
Walruses in the Chukchi Sea during a tagging survey onboard the Norseman II in June 2010.
Walruses in the Chukchi Sea during a tagging survey onboard the Norseman II in June 2010.
Walruses in the Chukchi Sea during a tagging survey onboard the Norseman II in June 2010.
Walruses in the Chukchi Sea during a tagging survey onboard the Norseman II in June 2010.
Nearly 200 male walruses resting on shore at Cape Seniavin along the shores of southern Bristol Bay
Nearly 200 male walruses resting on shore at Cape Seniavin along the shores of southern Bristol Bay
More than 150 male walruses resting on shore at Cape Peirce in northern Bristol Bay
More than 150 male walruses resting on shore at Cape Peirce in northern Bristol Bay
Below are publications associated with Pacific walrus research.
U.S. Geological Survey Arctic ecosystem assessments
Evaluation of a method using survey counts and tag data to estimate the number of Pacific walruses (Odobenus rosmarus divergens) using a coastal haulout in northwestern Alaska
Pacific walrus coastal haulout database, 1852-2016— Background report
Polar bear and walrus response to the rapid decline in Arctic sea ice
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
Below are multimedia items associated with this project.
Walruses are very social animals and like to be in constant contact with other walruses. Photo taken during USGS research efforts permitted under US Fish and Wildlife Service Permit No. MA801652-3
Walruses are very social animals and like to be in constant contact with other walruses. Photo taken during USGS research efforts permitted under US Fish and Wildlife Service Permit No. MA801652-3
Walruses gathered by the tens of thousands in September 2013 to rest on the shores of the Chukchi Sea near the coastal village of Point Lay, Alaska.
Walruses gathered by the tens of thousands in September 2013 to rest on the shores of the Chukchi Sea near the coastal village of Point Lay, Alaska.
Walrus reflections in the water. Taken from a USGS research cruise in the Chukchi Sea,
Walrus reflections in the water. Taken from a USGS research cruise in the Chukchi Sea,
Summer ice retreat in the Chukchi Sea between Alaska and Russia is a significant climate change impact affecting Pacific Walruses, which are being considered for listing as a threatened species. This twelve minute video follows walruses in their summer sea ice habitat and shows how USGS biologists use satellite radio tags to track their movements and behavior.
Summer ice retreat in the Chukchi Sea between Alaska and Russia is a significant climate change impact affecting Pacific Walruses, which are being considered for listing as a threatened species. This twelve minute video follows walruses in their summer sea ice habitat and shows how USGS biologists use satellite radio tags to track their movements and behavior.
Footage of Pacific Walrus, Sea ice, Scientists Tagging Walruses With Radio Tags, Tracking animation.
Footage of Pacific Walrus, Sea ice, Scientists Tagging Walruses With Radio Tags, Tracking animation.
Adult female walruses on ice floe with young.
Adult female walruses on ice floe with young.
Adult female walrus on ice floe photographed shortly after receiving a behavior monitoring satellite-linked radio tag from USGS researchers.
Data acquired from such radio-tags are providing insights on the distribution and behavior of Pacific walruses during a time when their summer sea ice habitat is rapidly changing.
Adult female walrus on ice floe photographed shortly after receiving a behavior monitoring satellite-linked radio tag from USGS researchers.
Data acquired from such radio-tags are providing insights on the distribution and behavior of Pacific walruses during a time when their summer sea ice habitat is rapidly changing.
Adult female walrus on ice floe.
Adult female walrus on ice floe.
Female walruses and their young must haul out of the water to rest between foraging bouts.
Female walruses and their young must haul out of the water to rest between foraging bouts.
Adult female walruses on ice floe with young. Notice the radio tag borne on her her upper mid back.
This tag will monitor resting and foraging behavior and convey the information back to USGS scientists.
Adult female walruses on ice floe with young. Notice the radio tag borne on her her upper mid back.
This tag will monitor resting and foraging behavior and convey the information back to USGS scientists.
Female Pacific walruses and their calves traditionally spend summers far from shore, diving for benthic invertebrates over the shallow continental shelf waters of the Chukchi Sea. These female walruses and their calves prefer to rest between forage bouts on sea ice drifting above their feeding grounds.
Female Pacific walruses and their calves traditionally spend summers far from shore, diving for benthic invertebrates over the shallow continental shelf waters of the Chukchi Sea. These female walruses and their calves prefer to rest between forage bouts on sea ice drifting above their feeding grounds.
During the course of our research on walruses hauled out near Point Lay in
early September, USGS obtained aerial video footage of the
walrus aggregation. This footage was taken from an altitude of 4,000' with
a Cineflex camera by Daniel Zatz, of Zatzworks, on contract to USGS for
During the course of our research on walruses hauled out near Point Lay in
early September, USGS obtained aerial video footage of the
walrus aggregation. This footage was taken from an altitude of 4,000' with
a Cineflex camera by Daniel Zatz, of Zatzworks, on contract to USGS for
Walruses gathered on Alaskan shores of the Chukchi Sea by the tens of thousands in late August and September of 2010 after the last of the sea ice dissipated.
Walruses gathered on Alaskan shores of the Chukchi Sea by the tens of thousands in late August and September of 2010 after the last of the sea ice dissipated.
Walruses gathered on Alaskan shores of the Chukchi Sea by the tens of thousands in late August and September of 2010 after the last of the sea ice dissipated.
Walruses gathered on Alaskan shores of the Chukchi Sea by the tens of thousands in late August and September of 2010 after the last of the sea ice dissipated.
Walruses gathered on Alaskan shores of the Chukchi Sea by the tens of thousands in late August and September of 2010 after the last of the sea ice dissipated.
Walruses gathered on Alaskan shores of the Chukchi Sea by the tens of thousands in late August and September of 2010 after the last of the sea ice dissipated.
Walruses in the Chukchi Sea during a tagging survey onboard the Norseman II in June 2010.
Walruses in the Chukchi Sea during a tagging survey onboard the Norseman II in June 2010.
Walruses in the Chukchi Sea during a tagging survey onboard the Norseman II in June 2010.
Walruses in the Chukchi Sea during a tagging survey onboard the Norseman II in June 2010.
Nearly 200 male walruses resting on shore at Cape Seniavin along the shores of southern Bristol Bay
Nearly 200 male walruses resting on shore at Cape Seniavin along the shores of southern Bristol Bay
More than 150 male walruses resting on shore at Cape Peirce in northern Bristol Bay
More than 150 male walruses resting on shore at Cape Peirce in northern Bristol Bay
Below are publications associated with Pacific walrus research.
U.S. Geological Survey Arctic ecosystem assessments
Evaluation of a method using survey counts and tag data to estimate the number of Pacific walruses (Odobenus rosmarus divergens) using a coastal haulout in northwestern Alaska
Pacific walrus coastal haulout database, 1852-2016— Background report
Polar bear and walrus response to the rapid decline in Arctic sea ice
Below are news releases associated with Walrus Research.