
To sum up the waste involved in walrus hunting: of each 100 
walruses killed only about 50 are recovered and of these, the number 
rather completely used varies from as high as 30 at Gambell to less than 
20 at Little Diomede. It seems safe to assume that less than one-fourth 
of the walruses actually killed are entirely used, and that even the 
ivory (the most desired part of the walrus) is recovered from only half 
of those killed. 
HIGHLIGHTS OF IMPORTANCE TO MANAGEMENT 
Certain items presented in this report are of special 
significance for application to management. These are: 
1. The Pacific walrus population has declined from an 
estimated 200,000 in the mid-nineteenth century to an estimated 45,000 
at present. 
2. Mortality in the population is essentially all from human 
exploitation. Food supplies are believed to be adequate to support much 
higher populations than now exist. 
3. The estimated annual kill in Alaskan waters is 2,200; only 
about 1,100 are actually recovered, and the other 1,100 are lost. In 
Siberian waters the kill is estimated at 8,300. Thus, the total kill is 
estimated at 10,500, or 23 percent of the estimated total population. 
4. The annual recruitment is on the order of 1l percent. Thus, 
mortality is estimated at more than twice the recruitment, and the popu- 
lation is continuing to decline. Other evidence confirms this decline. 
5. In addition to the waste of half of the walruses killed 
through non-recovery, there is additional waste of approximately half 
of those walruses recovered. 
6. The Pacific walrus population occurs in international 
waters, as well as territorial waters of the U.S.S.R. and the U.S. Thus, 
international cooperation is necessary to effectively census the population 
and to regulate the harvest. 
7. Walruses are harvested for human food, dogfood, hides for 
boat coverings, and for ivory. Females and young are preferred for food. 
8. Hunting for ivory alone is practiced at many locations. 
The most practicable way to discourage this hunting is to remove the 
incentive. This could be done by prohibiting the sale of raw ivory. 
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