Modern technologies have made it easier for scientists to solve many problems, including counting the number of animals. In the past, for this purpose, scientists made field trips with observations and collection of biological material, then it was the turn of automatic camera traps. With the advent of satellite images, the collection of statistical data reached a new level.
The only problem was the too large amount of data: scientists are physically unable to process all images from satellites, and then volunteers come to their aid. Penguin and seal counting projects have been successful, and now it’s the walruses’ turn. That’s why WWF calls to action on its site.
Walruses are affected by climate change and biologists need to assess the level of its impact. Ice is extremely important for these animals, but it continues to melt. They do not like to rest on land, and as a result, walruses have to swim further and spend more energy looking for food. This, in turn, increases their risks of colliding with ships, and the level of competition increases on the few remaining ice floes.
A new action called Walrus From Space is being held under the auspices of the WWF and the British Antarctic Survey. Almost anyone can contribute to science, spending just half an hour searching for walruses captured from space.
All you need is access to a computer or tablet and an internet connection. You will need to create an account and read the short guide. After a series of tests, you can start searching. The minimum age recommended for unsupervised members is 10 years old, with members under 13 years of age required to obtain parental consent to use the platform.
According to current WWF data, there are about 250,000 Atlantic and 200,000 Pacific walruses in the wild. The Walruses from the Space project will make it possible to correct these figures.
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Looking for opportunities for eco-volunteering in the GCC? You’ve got to read our interview with Azraq NGO and join them! Dolphins and shark campaigns, beach clean-ups, fight against plastic pollution, upcycling ideas, and many more – isn’t it amazing?
