Male and female walruses spend winters in the Bering Sea but separate when ice recedes with warmer temperatures. Male walruses traditionally spend summers in the Bering Sea, often on islands or remote locations in Bristol Bay roughly 130 miles (209 kilometres) north of Port Heiden, Mr Garlich-Miller said. In recent years, however, only 2,000 to 3,000 show up on Round Island, Mr Garlich-Miller said. That could be an effect of sea ice not forming as far south as in past years and male walruses spending more time in the northern Bering Sea, he said. Frequent disturbances also can drive walruses away from preferred resting areas, Mr Garlich-Miller said, causing them to expend more energy foraging and affecting their overall body conditions.

Source: Irish Independent May 10, 2018 02:37 UTC