New insight into how narwhals use their tusks

Drone footage taken by researchers from WWF studying narwhals in north-eastern Canada has revealed how the whales use their unique tusks to hunt for fish. 

The whales could clearly be seen tapping the fish to stun it before consuming the prey. The tusk is in fact a large canine tooth, usually only found on male narwhals. Little is known about the narwhal as it is generally shy and is only found in the arctic. Previously it was thought the whales only fed during the winter but this footage shows them catching prey during the summer season.

Loss of habitat as industrial development and shipping increases in the arctic are a major threat to species, along with changes in sea ice distribution which impacts on the availability of food.