Interannual site fidelity by Svalbard walruses.

ABSTRACT: The Arctic is experiencing rapid reductions in sea ice, affecting all ice-dependant species. In the present study we examine interannual seasonal movements and habitat use in relation to sea ice coverage for one of the Arctic endemic marine mammals. We tagged 40 male walruses (Odobenus rosmarus) in the Svalbard Archipelago with custom-designed tusk-mounted GPS loggers. Twelve of these animals provided tracks that lasted 1-6 years. Eleven of the walruses displayed clear seasonal migratory behaviour between summer foraging areas and winter breeding areas. Individuals showed high inter-individual variation, but clear site fidelity, using the same areas in consecutive years despite variable sea ice conditions. The walruses swam 5225-10,406 km per year and travelled remarkably similar distances

SUBMITTER: Mikkelsen L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11233647 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature