It was announced on Friday by U.S. Attorney Karen L. Loeffler and Ryan Noel, the USFWS Special Agent in Charge, that their investigation into the Walrus deaths discovered in mid-September in the Cape Lisbourne area has discovered that some of the walrus deaths were definitely human-caused.

They also report that they believe they have identified the the persons responsible for the walrus fatalities. But, they told the public that charges for the walrus fatalities have yet tto be filed and declined to reveal the identities of any of their suspects. According to DOJ, “No further information concerning the investigation will be released at this time.”

USFWS worked closely with the Eskimo Walrus Commission on the matter, and say they were assisted by the North Slope Borough Department of Wildlife Management and the Alaska Sealife Center in determining the cause of death in the walruses.

USFWS reminds the public that the “Marine Mammal Protection Act permits the non-wasteful taking of marine mammals for subsistence and handicraft purposes by Alaska Natives living along the coast,” but they add that anyone can collect walrus bones, teeth and ivory from dead walrus found on the beach, provided that they register the items with the service within 30 days of collecting those items.

The Eskimo Walrus Commission also released a statement, saying, “We encourage and support all member communities from Barrow to Bristol Bay region to harvest walrus that is needed for food and creation of handicrafts in compliance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act, EWC’s mission is to protect the walrus population and manage it sustainably for the benefit of our hunters and well into the future.” 

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