Walruses abroad and while traveling: are they dangerous, where do you encounter them, where can you see them?

What are walruses?

• A walrus is related to the seal and sea lion and is recognizable by its large, downward-facing tusks.
• A walrus can grow to over 3 meters in length, making it one of the largest marine predators.
• Walruses spend a lot of time on the ice or on beaches and rocky shores, where they rest, feed and even socialize.

Where to see a walrus in the wild abroad?

• If you want to see a walrus in the wild, you can travel to the Arctic regions of Alaska or Canada, for example, where ecotourism and walrus expeditions sometimes offer opportunities to spot walruses.
• Russia: Northern Russia (Pacific walrus) and on the northern coast of Siberia (Siberian walrus)
• Greenland: West coast (Atlantic walrus)
• Canada: on the Arctic islands (Atlantic walrus)
• Norway: Spitsbergen (Atlantic walrus)
• United States: thousands of walruses gather in Northern Alaska in the summer (Pacific walrus)

Is a walrus dangerous?

• It is best not to get too close to a walrus in the wild.
• A walrus is normally not dangerous. They are marine predators that might look dangerous, but they are actually bad hunters and mainly eat shellfish.
• A walrus can be dangerous, however, if it feels threatened or is protecting its young.
• They remain strong animals that can also react aggressively. With their large tusks, they are able to defend themselves well and injure you. Walruses have also attacked and killed people in the past who came too close in a kayak. 

What to do if you encounter a walrus in the wild?

• So stay away if you encounter a walrus and stay calm. Try not to talk or make any noise. They can be quite unpredictable and territorial.
• Walruses react strongly to sounds, smells and things they see. This usually causes them to flee. Try not to disturb them, because a flight response can cause young to be trampled.
• Smoking can also cause disturbance.

What to do if a walrus attacks you?

• While it is rare, walruses mainly attack people in boats. An attack can also occur on land/ice.
• If a walrus attacks you, you better get away. They are very strong, so there is not much you can do.

Can you do volunteer work or an internship with walruses?

• You can, but there is not much choice of projects. One of the most famous projects is “walrus detectives”, where people can look at satellite images to map walruses. Everyone around the world can participate.