The potential for harm to the walrus population was there due to a drastic change in their habitat was what "science was saying" and the study was worth the effort by the feds continue to manage this species. You don't know much about "science" or the management of wild animal populations. I went to Seward this week-end and saw their "rescued" baby walrus who now weighs over 200 pounds. What a baby!  An active little guy he can run on his "jelly" belly amazingly fast. Unfortunate, due to his conditions, he cannot return to the wild. Plans are being made now by the Sealife Center to re-home the baby walrus to a facility that has other walrus's and they know how to care for them.