Wolves at the door: How Arctic predators’ recovery is reshaping life in Greenland

Wolves have coexisted with humans and sled dogs in Greenland for centuries, though that relationship is changing as the apex predators become more numerous, according to a study published this month in Arctic, the Journal of the Arctic Institute of North America.

Drawing from historical records, oral traditions, and interviews with hunters and community members across North and West Greenland, the research led by Manumina Lund Jensen of the University of Greenland reveals that wolves as more than just predators: they are cultural figures, ecological forces, and symbols of both danger and respect.

In West Greenland, local folklore and mythology portray wolves “not only as physical beings, but entities with supernatural abilities, capable of interacting with the spiritual world” highlighting the complex relationship between humans and wolves where wolves are “respected, feared, and often seen as guardians of the natural and spiritual order,” according to the research.

The article draws on evidence of 4,000 years of Arctic wolf encounters in Greenland and local testimonies to demonstrate the impact of  increased interactions with humans and sled dogs.

“You hear about wolf tracks, new every day,” said local hunter Nukagpiánguak Hendriksen. “It is polar night, so we do not see them. The dogs howl — they can hear the wolves howling.” 

In places like Avanersuaq, wolves are now appearing more and more often near human settlements, hunting areas, and playgrounds, prompting concerns for the safety of people, prey populations, and dogs. Conservation decisions, including allowing the killing of wolves in some areas, reflect the challenges of managing a predator that is both ecologically important and culturally significant.

As wolf sightings increase and interactions intensify, the study calls for a balanced approach that brings together science and Indigenous knowledge to protect both people and wildlife in this rapidly changing Arctic landscape.

Key Findings:

• Centuries of Coexistence: Wolves, sled dogs, and humans have interacted for generations in Greenland, shaping hunting practices, local lore, and ecological dynamics.
• Tense Modern Encounters: Since the late 2010s, wolf sightings have surged near settlements like Qaanaaq and Siorapaluk, causing distress and raising safety concerns.
• Predator-Prey Shifts:  Locals report fewer muskox calves and more skeletal remains, attributed to increased wolf predation during hunting seasons.
• Dogs vs. Wolves: Explorers and residents have long reported wolves attacking sled dogs. Historic attempts to hybridize wolves and dogs failed, with offspring seen as too aggressive and later culled.
• Cultural Wisdom Matters: “Wolves are not merely animals, but symbolic entities that embody the unpredictable and often perilous relationship between humans and the natural world,” according to the findings.
• Management Measures Have Begun: In 2020, subsistence hunters were authorized to kill wolves in Avanersuaq after a rise in sightings and threats to human and prey species.
• Ecological Role Still Crucial: As apex predators, wolves influence the Arctic food web, making their presence both necessary and challenging.

The study calls for wildlife management policies that respect both traditional Indigenous knowledge and modern science to guide culturally sensitive, ecologically sound decisions.

“Balancing the ecological roles of wolves with the safety and livelihoods of local human populations requires a nuanced and informed approach, ensuring the conservation of both natural and human communities in the High Arctic and West Greenland,” Jensen said.

Mary McAuliffe, formerly a Jerusalem-based correspondent for an international news channel, is a freelance journalist, photographer and filmmaker, covering the most pressing issues facing society for television, digital, and radio.