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MEETING ANIMALS
Foxes
Seals
Whales
Polar bears
Sledge dogs
Handicraft and animals

Brochures tell rather little about meeting with wild animals, because it's such a stroke of luck, but we met some during our trip.

Foxes

There are two species of artic foxes in Greenland: white inland foxes whose coat turn two-coloured during summer, and blue-grey coastal foxes.

A white foxes family lives in Ataa.
Visitors are fond of them. These foxes always find leftover foofd on a piece of rock...
These lovely creatures are nevertheless preys for hunters who are after their coat, which hang en clusters in souvenirs shops.


A pair of coastals foxes we were able to observe for a long time,
playing around and chasing each other.

Seals

We caught this reckless seal letting itself go on an iceberg. Inuit hunt its kindred for the meat: they can shoot a seal's head emerging from the water.

Whales

We hopped to see whales during our journey in the Disco Bay, as they come here each year. Not easy... Whales are able to dive for 3/4 hour before they break surface again! Anyway we had the chance to catch sight of one or two during our boat return trip. It was an exciting moment - but too brief for me to take any picture.

Polar bears

The polar bear is the biggest carnivore living on Earth nowadays.

It is a true symbol of Greenland, but you can meet polar bears only far in the north, in the artic desert region of the Pole. You can nevertheless find it represented everywhere and in all its forms: postcards, soft toys, T-shirts, jewels, figurines...

Another non-ticked box in my little list of dreams : to go one day to Canada and see polar bears in the wild, during their annual passing through Churchill...

Sledge dogs

During winter, the sea freezes and it becomes possible to walk on it! It is also the dog sled season. During summer, the dogs are being laid off. They stay idle, chained in gardens, on every street corner. Even if they look placid, it is extremely unwise to try to stroke them, you could lose your hand.

Handicraft and animals

Among others things, Greenlanders' handicraft uses parts of animals' bodies like furs, bones, teeth, claws or horns. Some species are protected by international laws, and only Greenlanders (Inuit) have their hunting rights - an exception intented for their traditional way of life preservation.

Exporting parts of the following animals' bodies is regulated: narwhale, beluga whale, minke whale (from West Greenland), walrus and polar bear.
If you wish to take home some, you need to obtain a CITES export permit (Convention on International Trade in endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, signed by more than 150 countries), or your souvenirs will be confiscated by customs.

Exporting parts of the following animals' bodies is strictly forbidden: sperm whale, bowhead whale (Greenland right whale), fin whale (also know as the Razorback), humpback whale, and all birds of prey.

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