USGS, Tagging Walruses in the Village of Point Lay

USGS researchers will spend the rest of the month trying to tag dozens of Pacific Walruses, in an effort to better understand the impact that melting sea ice has on walruses.

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By KTVA CBS 11 News

Story Created: Aug 16, 2011 at 9:38 PM AKDT

Story Updated: Aug 17, 2011 at 10:06 AM AKDT

U.S. Geological Survey Alaska Science Center scientists are working with the residents of the Village of Point Lay to attach 35 satellite radio tags to walruses on the northwestern coast.

Last month, researchers tagged 40 walruses northwest of Barrow.

Researchers are tagging the mammals in an effort to better understand how the melting sea ice is impacting the walruses who rest on sea ice between meals.

With sea ice rapidly melting, the walruses are making their way towards land. Over the last few years they have been spotted resting on beaches in Alaska and Russia.

Last year, the mammals came ashore in late August because the sea ice melted earlier than normal.

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