St. Matthew Island, July 2

Today we had a great expedition day, starting with St. Matthew Island in the morning. When Cheli landed on the beach she discovered a complete skeleton of a walrus. By the time I arrived on shore, the skull was entirely exposed, complete with both tusks and all teeth, bar four. According to the 'beachcombers clause' in the Marine Mammal Protection Act, it is legal to keep the walrus bones and tusks as long as they are registered. This skull is incredible! I've attached a photo of Ingrid with the skull. Cheli plans on having it used for education, which is great. We left the rest of the skeleton on the beach with the exception of the penis bone, which is just huge. Walrus penis bones (oosik) can be 62 centimeters long.


Walrus with Ingrid