“an unusual gathering on a barrier island in Alaska. ” They’d normally be out on the floating ice after foraging, but there is no ice this year near their feeding grounds. Arctic sea ice is at the 3rd lowest point in recorded history.
Walruses Swarm Beaches as Ice Melts
National Geographichttp://news.nationalgeographic…
Biologists with the USGS say the situation can be very dangerous because walruses are easily startled, and can stampede. Some walruses, particularly calves and juveniles, can get crushed to death by larger walruses moving about.