Narwhals are among the Arctic’s most distinctive and mysterious whales. Best known for their long spiral tusk, an elongated tooth packed with millions of nerve endings, they inhabit remote, ice-covered waters and can dive more than 1,000 metres in search of food. Yet despite these remarkable traits, they remain difficult to observe in the wild. A recent study found an unexpected way to watch them: by joining an Inuit hunt.
In northwest Greenland, researchers collaborated with local hunters during a traditional narwhal hunt, using the experience as a platform for scientific observation. Over six days in August, the team recorded 83 encounters and more than 500 narwhal sightings from a small boat, supported by drone footage that revealed behavior invisible from the surface, including calves and tusks that are often hidden underwater.
(Figure: Ogawa & Podolsky 2026, Polar Biology)
The hunt offered rare insights into just how difficult narwhals are to find. At times, observers waited up to 28 hours between sightings, and no narwhals were visible for most of the observation period. Even when they appeared, they were typically seen in small groups of around five animals, often arriving in short bursts that could last for several hours before disappearing again. Even experienced hunters made only a few attempts to catch a whale, and a successful hunt can take up to a week.
Drone observations also provided new insights into the narwhal’s iconic tusk. Around 70 percent of the animals observed had a tusk, which can reach nearly a quarter of the body length on average. These measurements, made from aerial footage, offer a rare glimpse into the physical characteristics of narwhals in the wild and may help distinguish between younger and adult individuals.
Among the most striking behavioral observations was a sleep-like state at the surface. Narwhals were seen floating motionless for several minutes, a phenomenon known locally as “pugginnartoq”, a term from the North Greenlandic language Avanersuarmiutut. The drone footage also captured complex social dynamics, with groups merging and splitting, and no clear leader, as even young animals can sometimes initiate dives that the rest of the group follows.
The study suggests that narwhals tend to move with ocean currents, often traveling out of the fjord in the afternoon. At the same time, Indigenous knowledge provided key insights, such as the animals’ sensitivity to shadows, which can influence hunting strategies.
By combining traditional practices with modern tools like drones, the research highlights a powerful approach to studying Arctic wildlife. In a region where scientific data remain limited, collaboration with Indigenous communities is proving essential for understanding species like the narwhal and the changing environment they inhabit.
Léa Zinsli, PolarJournal