Hopen Island |ForumIAS

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Source-This post on Hopen Island is based on the article “First case of Walrus dying from bird flu recorded on Arctic island: Researcher” published in “WION” on 7th May 2024.

Why in the News?

A researcher has reported that the first instance of a walrus death due to bird flu on Hopen Island in the Svalbard archipelago.

Aspects	Description
About Hopen Island	Hopen Island is located in the southeastern part of the Svalbard archipelago (Norway). It is part of the Southeast Svalbard Nature Reserve.
Geography	The island is mostly covered by rocks and continuous permafrost, with a very narrow beach.
Wildlife	1) The island is home to a significant number of polar bears, especially during winter when the island is surrounded by sea ice. 2) The sub-population of Ursus maritimus found here is genetically distinct and associated with the Barents Sea region. 3) The island is breeding ground for black-legged kittiwakes, thick-billed guillemots, and black guillemots.

Aspect	Description
Classification	They are Pinniped (fin-footed) mammal. They are related to seals and sea lions.
Appearance	They are characterized by large size and distinctive tusks; skin covered with a thin layer of coarse hairs.
Habitat	They are terrestrial and marine. They can swim in the ocean and walk on land and sea ice.
Diet	They are primarily mollusks and also consumes worms, snails, soft shell crabs, shrimp, and sea cucumbers.
Distribution	Arctic and sub-Arctic regions near the North Pole, including the Pacific, Atlantic, and Arctic Oceans.
Threats	Currently, the primarily threat is climate change. They were historically hunted commercially.
Conservation Status	IUCN Red List: Vulnerable
Role in Ecosystem	They are keystone species in Arctic marine ecosystems.

UPSC Syllabus: Environment

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