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Aerial survey of walrus haul-out sites in west Spitsbergen and Moffen

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 October 2009

E. Cruwys  and
Dan Weinstein
E. Cruwys
Affiliation:
Scott Polar Research Institute, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1ER
Dan Weinstein
Affiliation:
3 Ridgley Terrace, Jamestown, NY 14701, USA
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Abstract

In July 1992 two aerial surveys were conducted to assess the size of the walrus (Odobenus rosmarus rosmarus) population at haul-out sites reported on the northwest coast of Spitsbergen and on Moffen. Walrus have been extensively hunted in Svalbard during the past 350 years, and in 1952 concern about decreasing stocks caused the Norwegian government to pass a law protecting the animals from hunting. At the time of the survey, it is likely that the walrus would have been at some stage of the moult, and it is tentatively suggested that the physiological changes reported to take place during moulting can cause lethargy and sluggishness that may make walrus less susceptible to disturbance by engine noise. Thirty-seven walrus were counted on the survey around Moffen, and three walrus on the northwest coast of Spitsbergen three days later.

Type
Articles
Information
Polar Record , Volume 29 , Issue 168 , January 1993 , pp. 55 - 58
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1993

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