The Department of Nature Management of the Nenets Autonomous Okrug has introduced a temporary ban on visiting the Atlantic walrus rookeries on Vaygach Island. The restrictions are related to the tourism activity that has grown in the area.
Scientists note that the animals began to leave their favorite places, as they are frightened by the sounds of motor boats and tourists disembarking. Temporary restrictions were introduced at the initiative of WWF Russia.
Cape Lyamchin Nos is one of the favorite places for Atlantic walruses. More than a thousand animals went to the rookery every year. Since 2019, experts have noted a significant decrease in the number of observed animals on Vaygach Island, and their condition is worrying - scientists have recorded emaciated, weakened individuals.
In 2021, due to the pandemic and the closure of borders, Arctic tourism received an unusually powerful impetus to development. If in previous years the rookeries were visited by tourists extremely rarely, this year the situation has changed dramatically.
Scientists who carried out research work on Vaygach observed the landing of tourists directly at the empty walrus rookery just at the time when the animals were supposed to start arriving ashore. Probably, the people in the rookery and the noise of the motor boat scared off the walruses.
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