What is the global conservation status assigned to the walrus by the IUCN Red List?
Answer
Vulnerable
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List provides a global assessment of the species' health, and for the walrus, this status is designated as Vulnerable. This classification primarily acknowledges the significant, overriding systemic threat posed by ongoing climate change, specifically the resulting loss of essential sea ice platforms necessary for resting and breeding. This IUCN evaluation contrasts with the NatureServe Global G4 ranking, which suggests the species is 'Apparently Secure,' potentially due to the sheer size of the Pacific population heavily weighting the aggregate assessment.
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