Coastal mortality of Pacific walruses at the Cape Vankarem haulout and influencing factors in 2017–2020
https://doi.org/10.15853/2072-8212.2024.75.67-76
EDN: TWJZRS
Abstract
Analysis of short-term threats to the welfare of a group of Pacific walruses (Odobenus rosmarus divergens Illiger, 1815) at the Cape Vankarem haulout showed significant changes in the structure and strength of sources of disturbance to the animals appeared over the 10 years since the last survey. Anthropogenic disturbance from passenger helicopters and traditional hunting (by spear slaughter) has decreased. The main sources of disturbance have been utilities and “northern importation”, which has increased mortality, especially of young animals. It is significantly higher than in haulouts remote from populated areas. Polar bears and local dogs are the next sources of concern.
Keywords
Pacific walrus,
Cape Vankarem,
Chukotka Peninsula,
coastal mortality,
polar bear,
killer whale,
economic activity,
disturbance factors
Supporting agencies: The study was carried out within the framework of the State financing of VNIRO.
About the Author
S. V. Zagrebelniy
Russian Federal Research Institute of Fisheries and Oceanography (VNIRO)
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Sergey V. Zagrebelniy – Leading Researcher of the Marine Mammal Division of the Department of Commercial Hydrobionts
Moscow
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Review
For citations:
Zagrebelniy S.V. Coastal mortality of Pacific walruses at the Cape Vankarem haulout and influencing factors in 2017–2020. The researches of the aquatic biological resources of Kamchatka and the North-West Part of the Pacific Ocean. 2024;(75):67-76. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.15853/2072-8212.2024.75.67-76. EDN: TWJZRS
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