Use of a coastal haulout by walruses on the Meeskyn Spit Island (Anadyr Gulf of the Bering Sea) in 2003–2009
Abstract
We systematically monitored seasonal dynamics of walrus numbers, sex and age composition, disturbance and mortality at the coastal haulout on the Meeskyn Cape of the Meeskyn Spit Island (Chukotka, Russia) are made. Low numbers of walruses used the coastal haulout irregularly — during 3 years of monitoring (2003, 2005, 2007), with maximum annual counts ranging from 3505 to 4700. Walruses also actively used the water area near the easternmost tip of the island the Spit of Meeskyn, the cape Retkyn (up to 5500 individuals). The Meeskyn Cape haulout was composed primarily of males age of 6 years and older (annual composition range: 45,5% to 57%). Small boats often traveled near shore close to the haulout, and occasionally visitors came to the haulout itself. We observed 17 cases of disturbance of walruses on the haulout, of which 7 resulted in walruses flushing into the water. The majority of cases of disturbance of walruses on a haulout were due to natural reasons (n=14), however the greatest number of the animals (4000 individuals) who have descended in water has been connected with anthropogenic factors. Few dead walruses were observed (n=26), and harvest losses (both legal and/or illegal) were the main reason for death of animals (n=14), however some deaths may have been due to killer whales attacks (n=6).
About the Authors
А. А. Pereverzev
Primorsky Aquarium, National Scientific Center of Marine Biology, (FSBIS «NSCMB» FEB RAS); Pacific Research Fisheries Centre (FSBSI «TINRO-Centre»)
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Vladivostok
N. V. Kryukova
Russian Federal Research Institute of Fisheries and Oceanography (FSBSI «VNIRO»)
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Moscow
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Review
For citations:
Pereverzev А.А., Kryukova N.V. Use of a coastal haulout by walruses on the Meeskyn Spit Island (Anadyr Gulf of the Bering Sea) in 2003–2009. Trudy VNIRO. 2018;170:78-89. (In Russ.)
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