Though the program lost its funding in 2014, Walrus Island State Game Sanctuary has been kept open by donors including Explore.org and several zoos.
The Walrus Island State Game Sanctuary on Round Island is gearing up for its summer season, which opens May 1 and runs through August 15.
According to counts by Round Island staff, walrus numbers have been down in recent years; during the 2015 season the maximum count was about 1600 in one day.
"That's down considerably from our historic levels," says Ed Weiss, the Lands and Refuges Manager at the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. "But that may be because of El Nino effects, less sea ice through the winter. We have no way of really knowing for sure, but that would be one guess as to why the numbers are down. We'll just have to wait and see."
Visitors are welcome on Round Island, though it’s a tricky and expensive trip. According to Fish & Game records, just 22 people made it out last summer for a day trip or overnight camping.
Flights in and out are not allowed during the summer season, and Togiak Outfitters, a local commercial service, runs boats to the island for $1100 dollars per person.
"And then folks are always welcome to visit on their personal vessels too," says Weiss. "But they need to get a permit and then talk with staff on marine channel 7 ahead of time before they head into that restricted area. There's also a specified approach corridor that we need folks to use to minimize disturbance on the walrus."
The Round Island program lost its state funding in 2014, but has stayed open with the help of donations from Explore.org Alaska SeaLife Center, Point Defiance Zoo, the Georgia Aquarium, Oceans of Fun, the Pittsburgh Zoo, and the Pacific Walrus Conservation Fund, as well as an existing federal grant for the Coastal Impact Assistance Program to study Steller sea lion.
Those who can’t make it out for a visit can always check out the thousands of walruses and hundreds of steller sea lions live via webcam on Explore.org.