Wild life

This area is in the high arctic climate belt containing sparse vegetation without trees.
On land we hope to see musk ox, reindeer and foxes. The very rich bird life includes ravens, various gulls, ducks, guillemots, puffins and little auks. The stretches of steep coastline support several seabird colonies, some of them considered among the largest in the world.
Perhaps the most important aspect of Greenland's wildlife is its marine life, which for thousands of years has been the foundation of the hunter culture. An estimated two million seals of various species live in Greenlandic waters. In addition, we will probably encounter Walruses and possibly a number of species of whales.
Although polar bears infrequently approach this area in the spring, we must be prepared since these largest living land carnivores can often be aggressive or curious and thus potentially dangerous to humans. As a semi-aquatic marine mammal, the polar bear has adapted for life on a combination of land, sea, and ice and is the apex predator within its range. It feeds mainly on seals, young walruses, and whales; although it will eat anything it can kill.
Since the polar bears can sustain swimming speeds of above 5 knots, which is comparable to the kayak's top speed, our deterrent options must be applicable to both the marine and land environments.
Finally, in summer, one of the smallest arctic wildlife species can often be the the most noticeable - arctic mosquitoes can be ferocious and can be a serious problem for the unprepared. We do not expect to encounter much during the initial part of the trip but will probably experience a lot more as we go south and the summer progresses. Head nets and hard-core repellents are a must.