The polar bear as a versatile prey

For Greenland and other countries in the Arctic region, the polar bear has always been an important animal to hunt. Today the tradition of hunting polar bears continues, but only hunters with licences are permitted to hunt this magnificent animal. Hunting takes place in accordance with sustainable quotas that are adjusted in relation to the total Greenlandic bear population.



	Polar bear skin

Polar bear skin
Polar bear skin is used primarily to make warm trousers for the big-game hunters in the handful of areas in Greenland that can still be characterised as hunting communities. In the Qaanaaq area the polar bear skin is used in the national costume in the form of trousers for men and at the top of the long kamik for the women. Polar bear skin is also often used as a decorative trophy.

Polar bear meat
Polar bear meat is a Greenlandic delicacy which today is mainly eaten in East Greenland and in the north of the country, where the majority of polar bears are caught. When prepared in the traditional manner, the meat is cooked for several hours in order to make it tender and also to remove any trace of threadworms – a muscle parasite that can cause serious illness in humans.

The skull and the claws
An intact and attractive polar bear skull is a much sought-after trophy. The sharp teeth can be used for carving jewellery and the canine teeth can be used as items of jewellery in themselves.

Polar bear claws were traditionally an important part of amulets where they were used to symbolise the strength of the polar bear. Today the claws are popular as jewellery in the form of earrings or to hang around the neck – remember to obtain a CITES certificate if you are planning to take products from the polar bear out of Greenland as a souvenir or a gift.