A remarkable conservation success story from the Arctic frontiers of Norway (2000-2010)
Explore the ResearchIn the frost-kissed realm of the Svalbard archipelago, where glaciers carve their way through rugged mountains and polar night dominates for months on end, a marine mammoth is reclaiming its home. The Atlantic walrus (Odobenus rosmarus rosmarus), with its iconic tusks and formidable whiskers, is staging a remarkable comeback after being pushed to the verge of extinction 1 . The first decade of the 21st century marked a pivotal chapter in this Arctic saga, as scientists unraveled the mysteries of these gentle giants and documented their inspiring recovery.
of unregulated hunting devastated Svalbard's walrus population
Year Norway granted walruses full protection
For 350 years, unregulated hunting had devastated Svalbard's walrus population. What were once reportedly large herds dwindled to a mere handful of survivors by the time Norway granted them full protection in 1952. By the 1980s, only about 100 individuals remained summering in Svalbard's fjords, most of them males 4 . But the period from 2000 to 2010 witnessed an extraordinary scientific effort to understand, monitor, and celebrate the resurgence of this iconic species—a testament to both the resilience of nature and the power of dedicated conservation.
The relationship between humans and walruses in Svalbard has been turbulent. The first recorded walrus hunt took place in 1604, but extensive commercial harvesting began around 1820 4 . These magnificent creatures were hunted primarily for their blubber (rendered into oil), ivory tusks, and hide.
First recorded walrus hunt in Svalbard
Extensive commercial harvesting begins
Massive slaughter at Håøya with several thousand walruses killed
Norway grants full protection to walruses
When Norway finally protected walruses in 1952, the damage was already done. The surviving animals were predominantly adult males, creating a severely skewed population structure that threatened natural reproduction and recovery . Most females had been extirpated from Svalbard, retreating to the northeastern parts of the archipelago and Franz Josef Land to the east 4 .
"The populations in Svalbard never recovered during the brief periods of reduced hunting pressure, indicating how severely the species had been impacted." 4
The first signs of recovery were slow to emerge. Observations from 1954 to 1982 suggested a summering stock of about 100 animals, with a noticeable increase since 1970 . The walruses beginning to repopulate Svalbard were believed to have originated predominantly from the Franz Josef Land population to the east, demonstrating the interconnectedness of Arctic marine mammal populations across political boundaries 6 .
Prior to 2000, walrus population estimates in Svalbard were patchy and unreliable. This changed dramatically with the implementation of systematic aerial surveys using high-resolution photography .
A crucial component involved deploying satellite-relay-data-loggers on walruses. This technology revealed previously unknown aspects of their behavior, movement patterns, and habitat use .
Scientists used ancient DNA methodologies to understand the genetic consequences of the severe population bottleneck by analyzing bone samples from historical haul-out sites 4 .
The 2006 aerial survey represented a milestone in Svalbard walrus research. Scientists meticulously designed an approach that would become the gold standard for population monitoring.
The findings from the 2006 and follow-up 2012 surveys documented a remarkable recovery story:
| Survey Year | Estimated Population | 95% Confidence Interval | Percentage Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 2,629 | 2,318–2,998 | Baseline |
| 2012 | 3,886 | 3,553–4,262 | 48% |
Source: Kovacs et al. (2014) 6
The research revealed a significant increase in reproductive animals and expansion into historical habitats:
The walruses were recolonizing their historical range across Svalbard:
The groundbreaking research on Svalbard's walruses relied on sophisticated technologies and methodologies, each providing unique insights into the lives of these Arctic giants.
| Research Tool | Primary Function | Key Insights Generated |
|---|---|---|
| High-resolution aerial photography | Precise counting of hauled-out groups | Accurate population abundance and distribution data |
| Satellite-relay-data-loggers | Tracking movement patterns and dive behavior | Habitat use, correction factors for surveys, population connectivity |
| Ancient DNA analysis | Extracting genetic material from historical bones | Assessment of genetic diversity loss from hunting bottlenecks |
| Haul-out site monitoring | Regular checking of traditional resting areas | Population trends, recolonization patterns, reproductive success |
The integration of these methods created a comprehensive picture of walrus ecology and population dynamics that would have been impossible with any single approach.
Ancient DNA analysis targeted three mitochondrial regions:
The findings revealed that despite the severe population decline, no distinct mitochondrial haplogroups appeared to have been completely lost during the intensive hunting period 4 .
The walrus research conducted in Svalbard between 2000 and 2010 yielded insights extending far beyond academic interest. The findings demonstrated that marine mammal populations can recover from even severe overexploitation when given adequate protection and time. The research methods developed during this period established a robust framework for ongoing monitoring, essential in our era of rapid climate change.
"The remarkable recovery of Svalbard's walruses stands as a powerful testament to conservation's potential. From a mere 100 survivors in the 1980s to nearly 4,000 individuals by 2012, their resurgence represents one of the Arctic's most encouraging ecological success stories."
As the Arctic warms at unprecedented rates, understanding walrus population dynamics becomes increasingly crucial. These giants face new threats from declining sea ice, increasing human activity in the Arctic, and potential impacts on their benthic prey communities 6 . The comprehensive baseline data collected during this pivotal research period provides an essential reference point for detecting future changes and guiding conservation policy.
Subsequent monitoring has confirmed the continued recovery of Svalbard's walruses, with the 2018 aerial survey estimating the population at 5,503 individuals—a 41.6% increase since the 2012 survey .