Walruses Crowd Alaskan Beaches

Tuesday, 14 September 2010 | by Pat's Picks

Because sea ice levels are at an all-time low, the beaches of Northwestern Alaska are becoming some of the most popular in the country—for walruses, that is.  The Anchorage Daily News says in some areas, the animals are packed “shoulder to shoulder” for miles. Walruses typically rest on ice floes and their move to shore has scientists worried: Female walruses, which typically weigh around one ton, could stampede and crush each other or their calves if conditions get too tight. The federal government is currently debating whether or not to put the animals on the endangered species list.