Walruses come ashore on Alaska's northwest coast

Pacific walruses have started to gather along the northwest coast of Alaska. Researchers believe that it could be a sign of climate change. "There appears to be several thousand animals up there." says Andrea Medeiros.

Walruses have been coming on to the shore of the Chukchi sea in very large numbers. Researchers say it is likely to be a sign of climate warming which causes less ice. Males never leave the sea, but the females and their pups. The pups will stay on the ice while the mothers try to get food for them.

The sea ice is beyond the reach of a male walrus. The ice covers water that goes two miles deep. Walruses were first spotted in large numbers along the sides Chukchi sea back in 2007. They went back into the water later that year. They returned in 2009.

In 2011 scientist believed to see thousands of walruses along 1 kilometer on a beach. In 2014, 35,000 walruses were spotted. They were beileved to be spotted 5 miles north of they beach Point Lay. Scientists say to stay away from the large groups of walruses.