Published 23:10 IST, September 30th 2019
Walrus sinks Russian Navy boat to protect her cubs in the Arctic
A rubber boat belonging to the Russian Navy that was carrying scientists was met with hostility as their boat was attacked by a group of walruses in the Arctic
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A rubber boat belonging to the Russian Navy that was carrying scientists was met with hostility as it was attacked by a group of walruses when they tried to disembark on an isolated archipelago in the Arctic ocean.
Maternal instincts of a mother
According to an international media outlet, the marine mammal's maternal instincts kicked in as they just wanted to protect their offsprings. Although the boat sank, there were no casualties due to a swift response from the sailors accompanying the scientists.
Before the scientific expedition commenced, a drone was sent to collect pictures for reference. The Russian team was on a mission to study the flora and fauna of the Franz Josef Land in the isolated archipelago. In addition to this, they were following and recording famous journeys carried out in the arctic by famous explorers.
A humungous marine mammal
The Walrus is a marine mammal that is found living in areas around the arctic circle. Walruses are known to friendly but have a tendency to be hostile during their mating season. It is said that Walruses can grow to up to a length of 11.5 feet and can have a weight measuring up to 1.5 tons. According to reports, human mothers and female walruses share common characteristics while caring for their respective children.
Walrus mothers share one very touching thing in common with human mothers https://t.co/TWqFWMW3WA #walruses pic.twitter.com/kHnpqj054z
— OceanwideExpeditions (@OceanwideExp) September 19, 2019
Human impact on the Arctic
The above-mentioned events do not negate the fact that the Arctic is free from human impact. Walruses are viewed as mammals who are a target for human poachers. During the eighteenth and nineteenth century, they were chased widely for their tusks, oil, skin, and meat and were even went extinct in the Gulf of St. Lawrence and around Sable Island.
Loss of Arctic Sea Ice Causes Earliest Pacific Walrus Haul Out Ever https://t.co/v7oWjBwNwo pic.twitter.com/hRt7rnuP2m
— Svein T veitdal (@tveitdal) August 18, 2017
Nowadays, they are chased by indigenous networks, yet they are compromised by other human exercises including oil and gas boring, air travel, pollution and the manner in which the climatic conditions are changing the Arctic.
16:54 IST, September 30th 2019