Wildlife and Nature - Greenland Traditional Narwhal Expedition

http://www.wildlifeandnaturetravel.com/getpage.php?pg=trip&trip_id=45 With dogs on the sea ice Greenland Traditional Narwhal Expedition beautiful ice, dogs, inuits, polar bears, seals and narwhals Apr 27 - May 06 2010 The climate changes in the Arctic, the hunting of endangered species and the fast-evolving Inuit lifestyle are controversial topics of nearly every environmental conversation in the world, though very few have first-hand experience in this region. By participating in a one week traditional dog sled hunting expedition, we will not only become credible conversationalists, but through a life-changing unbelievable experience, we will learn an amazing array of insightful details of the North -from ice conditions to traditional hunting methods, to languages, to eye-to-eye encounters with endangered species, to survival skills, to igloo building methods, to the tastes of unusual foods, and not the least, the fascinating way current day technologies mingle with tradition and culture in daily Inuit life. This expedition is exceptional, because this entire expedition serves to promote one of Wildlife & Nature Travel's sustainable tourism goals. The Inuit people have led a very subsistence lifestyle for generations, which unfortunately is not only dramatically affecting their population through absorption of extremely high levels of mercury from their main food staple of marine life, but it is starting to negatively affect existing populations of endangered and threatened species, such as the Narwhal and Polar Bear. This trip allows its participants to understand the challenges native peoples face to survive in remote, isolated, and "unproductive" regions, while at the same time helping to establish a new means of survival and economy through tourism fees, without disrupting their traditional and evolving lifestyles. This trip was difficult in design, but in the end, we were able to convince our hosts that while we wanted as an authentic experience as possible, and the opportunity to get as close to the animals as space and safety would allow, that except for unavoidable and necessary circumstances, when it came down to firing the final "shot", the only clicking to be heard would come from our cameras and blanks being fired from their guns as they demonstrated how they would carry out the kill. This expedition is a pioneer step for transitioning specific natural resources from predation to protection, while generating understanding in a global world, but still preserving traditional values. A true expedition, a fantastic dream for every true adventurer!