New Walrus Haul-Out Identified in Svalbard Through Satellite Monitoring

New Walrus Haul-Out Identified in Svalbard via Satellite Monitoring

Researchers have identified a previously undocumented walrus haul-out site along the coastline of Svalbard , a remote Arctic archipelago situated between mainland Norway and the North Pole. The discovery was made using high-resolution imagery from the Walrus from Space initiative, a collaborative conservation programme led by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) . The finding highlights the expanding role of satellite technology in tracking vulnerable Arctic wildlife amid rapidly changing environmental conditions.

Role of the Walrus from Space Programme

Launched in 2021 , the project allows citizens worldwide to participate as “Walrus Detectives” , analysing satellite images to identify and count walruses. More than 40,000 volunteers have joined the effort, contributing valuable data for the first large-scale population census of Atlantic walruses across Canada, Greenland and the Norwegian Arctic. The initiative aims to build long-term datasets that help scientists understand demographic trends, habitat use and the broader impacts of climate change.

Walruses as Keystone Species

Walruses, which can reach weights of nearly two tonnes , play an essential role in Arctic marine ecosystems by influencing benthic food webs. However, accelerating sea-ice loss —a key resting and breeding platform—poses a growing threat to their survival. As ice retreats, walruses increasingly depend on land-based haul-outs, making monitoring efforts more critical than ever.

Importance of the Newly Identified Site

The newly recorded haul-out in Svalbard provides fresh insight into how walruses may be shifting their behaviour as sea ice diminishes. Scientists note that such discoveries fill significant gaps in distribution data and will help refine models predicting future population responses under escalating climate pressures.

Exam Oriented Facts

• New haul-out site discovered in Svalbard using satellite imagery.

• Walrus from Space : A WWF–BAS initiative launched in 2021 .

• Around 40,000 volunteers are participating as Walrus Detectives.

• Walruses are keystone species threatened by rapid sea-ice decline.