Pacific Walrus Threatened by Global Warming, Oil Development

Finally, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is reviewing the status of the Pacific walrus to determine whether or not the marine mammal will receive Endangered Species Act protections.

The Center for Biological Diversity stated that the Pacific walrus (Odobenus rosmarus divergens) is facing a double threat to its ice habitat: Global warming and increased oil development.
In addition to global warming, planned oil development in the Chukchi Sea off Alaska poses a threat to the Pacific walrus, as it is the most important foraging area for the species. The Chukchi Sea is also home to one of only two United States populations of polar bears.

2.7 million acres of the Chukchi Sea off Alaska was leased to oil companies by the Bush administration in 2008. Now this key Pacific walrus habitat is being auctioned off to oil companies; Arctic melting and global warming will be further accelerated by continued oil development activities.

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