MARINE WILDLIFE -- Walruses appear to be well-grounded in the reality of the impacts of climate change in the arctic.

Pacific walrus looking for places to rest in the absence of sea ice are coming to shore in record numbers on Alaska’s northwest coast.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration confirmed an estimated 35,000 walrus were photographed Saturday near Point Lay. That’s about 700 miles northwest of Anchorage.

The enormous gathering was spotted during NOAA’s annual arctic marine mammal aerial survey.

Walruses are managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, but climate change and the loss of sea ice habitat affects all arctic species.

Read an AP story from Alaska with more details.