WWF Russia announces satellite tracking program for walruses

WWF Russia will put satellite tracking devices on Atlantic walruses next year to suggest specific walrus conservation measures to oil companies drilling in the area. "We need information on where they [walruses] go, where they feed, where they rest. Only then we will be able to make plans and assessments and suggest specific measures to oil companies, to tell them where they should be cautious, what places to avoid, where to refrain from drilling and so on," said Mikhail Stishov, a WWF Russia coordinator for Arctic conservation projects. "So far, we can't say anything for sure," he added. Stishov said that satellite tracking systems have previously been used for the Pacific subspecies of walruses, but never on Atlantic walruses. The expert said satellite tracking devices will be used to determine migration routes and breeding grounds, while the number of walruses in the Russian Arctic will be assessed through satellite mapping of their colonies. The WWF Russia walrus census project began in summer 2011 and the organization plans to "cover the whole Arctic" in 2012. However, everything will depend on the funds raised for the purpose.