WALRUS ADVOCATES OF
ROUND ISLAND SANCTUARY
Protecting the walrus population of Round Island Sanctuary
If it was easy to get to and thousands came, it would be destroyed, the animals would leave, and the flowers would be trampled.
Some places are best left unspoiled and protected so that other generations may come, sit in solitude, and observe the same great beauty that we see today.
WARIS (Walrus Advocates of Round Island Sanctuary) has been created in order to bring support and aid to this amazing and unique island where walrus haulout in the summer. Funding is being cut by the state of Alaska, and our hope is that we can make more people aware of this American treasure and protect it.
ABOUT ROUND ISLAND AND THE WALRUS ISLAND SANCTUARY
The sanctuary consists of a group of islands located in Bristol Bay. The main walrus haulout occurs on Round Island, and a support crew has been on the island for 39 years. The summer of 2014, the state of Alaska zeroed out the funding for staffing Round Island. Remote camping by permit has been allowed. The crew continues to return to the island thanks to funding found each year from various sources.
Thankfully, these other entities have stepped in to staff Round Island. We are grateful to them and ask their continued assistance to keep the walrus and other wildlife safe. The Annenberg Foundation, 2015 donors, placed web cams on the island through explore.org, Alaska Sea life Center, Point Defiance Zoo, and Aquarium of Tacoma, Georgia Aquarium of the Atlantic, Milwaukee based Oceans of Fun, Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium and the Pacific Walrus Conservation Fund. Please let these groups know how much we appreciate their donation.
Please feel free to write to Alaska Fish and Game and encourage them to return some funding to support and protect this amazing place. Current email addresses commissioner Doug Vincent-Lang (dfg.commissioner@alaska.gov ) and Sanctuary Manager Adam Dubour (adam.dubour@alaska.gov). An email to the POTUS would be nice as well. Walrus are a federally managed species so it would be great to see the federal wildlife put in some funds as well.
Created in 1960, the Walrus Islands Sanctuary was the first in Alaska.
introduction to our crew of Walrus Advocates of Round Island Sanctuary-WARIS
Betsy Palfreyman, Director gunsndog@yahoo.com
Board Members: Rich Capitan, Katie Harper, Tanya O’Connor and Amy Reed
We are grateful to all who are involved in helping to support and protect this magical place
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