A new walrus haul-out has appeared on Yamal, with dozens of red-listed animals spotted along the shores of the Kara Sea. Immediately, in the previous year, a state natural reserve of regional significance called Tiutey-Yakhinsky was established at the initiative of Dmitry Artyukhov, Governor of the Yamal-Nenets Autonomous Area, covering an area of 10,000 ha. A scientific station is being constructed within it, consisting of six mobile buildings designed for the work and accommodation of scientists and inspectors. In September of this year, staff from the directorate of specially protected natural areas of the district and members of the Protected Yamal project once again went to the mouth of the Tiutey-Yakha River to monitor the dynamics of the Atlantic walrus population in the region.

The research cycle is scheduled to last for three years. Scientists from the Marine Mammals Research and Expedition Centre and the Arctic Research Station of the Institute of Ecology of Plants and Animals of the Ural Branch have installed 10 autonomous photo and video traps to monitor the migration paths of walruses. Satellite sensors have also been used, attached to the animals' skins, but specialists plan to switch to a more effective method soon—installing beacons on their tusks. According to Vitaly Borisyuk, Deputy Head of the Wildlife Protection Department of the Yamal-Nenets Autonomous Area's Natural Resources and Ecology Department, such tracking systems last longer, allowing for precise identification of breeding sites, migration routes and nursery grounds. In the future, all these locations will be protected by the state.

The Atlantic walrus returned to Yamal only a few years ago, with its presence first noted in 2019. The animals had been present on the peninsula for quite a long time, having survived several ice ages, but then, after the 6th to 8th centuries AD, they left their favoured spots and only returned as guests in the 21st century. It is believed that the pleasant visit of the walruses is linked to the expansion of their food supply. The favourite delicacy of these tusked giants, the bivalve mollusc Serripes groenlandicus, inhabits the coastal waters of Yamal in large numbers. For now, scientists believe that the Yamal walruses are similar to their counterparts from the Laptev Sea, though more accurate data will be available following genetic analysis. This is the second mass gathering of walruses in the Arctic—the first haul-out was discovered in 2007 in Chukotka.

The appearance of walruses in Russian polar waters clearly indicates an improvement in the region's ecology. The giants with tusks and flippers are welcomed in Russia, and their well-being is ensured by a comprehensive policy for the protection of endangered species. Thus, the authorities of Yamal-Nenets Autonomous Area allocated a subsidy of nearly RUB 16 mn to the Russian Centre for Arctic Development for monitoring the population of the animals. Gazprom has also decided to contribute, while Rosneft has long been a member of the Expert Advisory Council for the study and conservation of the Atlantic walrus, acting as a sponsor and organiser of research efforts. Until recently, Russian companies also actively collaborated with WWF (an organisation deemed undesirable on the territory of the Russian Federation); however, in recent years, the foundation has scaled back its activities in our country. Today, interest in the Arctic is being shown by scientists from countries that previously did not have access to the Arctic region. In the past five years, Turkish researchers have conducted four expeditions during which they observed marine mammals in the region.

Overall, Russian Arctic research is in high demand abroad. On 19 September, over 200 scientists from India, China, Ethiopia, neighbouring countries and other regions of the world gathered at the second annual international BRICS conference hosted by the Karelian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Scientists are discussing the possibilities of conducting joint research on global and regional climate change, monitoring carbon balance and exploring the nuances of studying water bodies and terrestrial ecosystems under the conditions of global warming and anthropogenic impact. In the future, this platform will serve as the basis for enhanced scientific and practical cooperation, which will certainly include research on the Yamal walruses.

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