Pacific Walrus
(Odobenus rosmarus divergens)
Video
Videos from Walrus Islands
Visitors are transported to Round Island by boat and then shuttled to shore in a small inflatable or dinghy. This group of walrus approached the transport boat as it was anchored just off Round Island and the captain was preparing to shuttle the visitors ashore in the small inflatable. Guidelines recommend not approaching marine mammals closer than 100 meters and not approaching in a manner that disturbs them or alters their behavior; but walrus, sea lions and other marine mammals are curious and will sometimes approach people. These animals initiated this encounter, but such an encounter can be potentially dangerous. One of these animals actually punctured one of the inflated chambers of the dinghy, damaging the boat.
-
Up-close walruses