The Inuit people of the Arctic have hunted narwhals for centuries for their meat, skin, blubber and ivory. They also consider the narwhal to be a symbol of their spirituality and connection to the natural world. The Inuit legend of the origin of the narwhal's tusk involves a woman who was dragged into the sea by a harpoon and transformed into a whale.
The Vikings traded narwhal tusks with other European nations, who believed they were from the mythical unicorn. The tusks were valued for their rarity, beauty and supposed magical properties. Some medieval rulers, such as Elizabeth I of England, owned narwhal tusks as royal treasures.
Greenland is the home of the largest population of narwhals in the world, and the whale is an important part of its culture, economy and ecology. The Greenlandic government regulates the narwhal hunt and supports scientific research and conservation efforts. The narwhal is also featured on the Greenlandic coat of arms and the national banknotes.
Denmark is the former colonial power of Greenland and still maintains a close relationship with the island. The Danish royal family owns several narwhal tusks, some of which are displayed in the Rosenborg Castle and the Amalienborg Palace. The Danish Natural History Museum has a large collection of narwhal specimens and skeletons, and conducts research on their biology and evolution.
Canada is the second largest narwhal range state, after Greenland, and has a significant Inuit population that relies on the whale for subsistence and cultural purposes. Canada also hosts many narwhal researchers and tourists, who seek to observe and learn more about the elusive and endangered animal. Canada is a signatory of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, which regulates the trade of narwhal parts.
