Population and distribution
The Narwhal is found predominately in the Atlantic and Russian areas of the Arctic. Individuals are commonly recorded in the northern part of Hudson Bay , Hudson strait, Baffin Bay, off the east coast of Greenland and in a strip running east from the northern end of Greenland round to eastern Russia (170° E). Land in this strip includes Svalbard, Franz Joseph Land and Severnaya Zemlya. The northernmost sightings of Narwhal have occurred north of Franz Joseph Land, at about 85° N.
Estimates of population have concentrated on the fjords and inlets of Northern Canada and western Greenland. Aerial surveys suggest a population of around 40,000 individuals. When submerged animals are also taken into account, the true figure may be in excess of 50,000.
Narwhals are a migratory species. In summer months they move closer to coasts. As the winter freeze begins they move away from shore, and reside in densely-packed ice - surviving in leads and small holes in the ice. As spring comes these leads open up into channels and the whale returns to the coastal bays.
Narwhal myths
The Narwhal remained an animal of legend until the 19th century. Their high north habitat was not visited by Europeans until that time - stories of their existence only reached the mainstream scientific community through those trading with Inuit hunters.
In even earlier times, the Narwhal gave rise to the legend of the unicorn in the middle ages. During that time narwhal tusks (usually found washed-up on northern shores) were believed to have come from a horse-like creature that had healing powers; however, according to the legend, the creature was a wild beast that could only be captured by offering a virgin as sacrificial bait.
Through contact with Inuit in the seventeenth century the aquatic nature of the unicorn was discovered, from whence its legend as a sea monster flourished.
Predation and conservation
The main predators are polar bears, killer whales and walruses. Some Inuit hunt this species. In Greenland, traditional hunting methods are used, but high-speed boats and rifles are frequently used in northern Canada.
References
- Narwhal, M. P. Heide-Jorgensen (pp783-787), in ''Encyclopedia of Marine Mammals, Perrin, Wursig and Thewissen eds. ISBN 0125513402
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