Understanding Extent of Pathogen Risk Associated with Walrus (Odobenus Rosmarus) Haul-Out Behavior

Abstract

Due to climate change, walruses are engaging in mass haul-outs much more frequently and in much larger and denser proportions than before. My project is a holistic assessment of the infectious disease risks and implications associated with this change in behavior, looking the factors that may influence disease transmission amongst hauled-out walruses and what the risks are for humans that interact with the walruses.