Dogs in Greenland outnumber humans, say Spanish researchers

DOG-LOVERS who don't mind the cold would be in seventh heaven in Greenland, an island where the pooch population outnumbers that of humans.

That's the conclusion reached by a Spanish father-and-son Arctic explorer team who carried out a census.

Manuel Calvo and his son Manuel Calvo Ariza – who, at 17, is one of the world's youngest Arctic adventurers – have been working on research about how climate change is affecting native Greenland dogs, and presented their report this week in Málaga, drawn up following a three-week stay in the Danish-owned region.

In the south of Greenland - which is in fact part of Denmark rather than a separate nation – the part where the capital city, Nuuk, is located is generally only slightly colder than a British winter, but the two Manuels have spent most of their time in the north, trekking across 400 kilometres of tundra in temperatures ranging from -20ºC to an unthinkable -32ºC.

They drew up a census of 1,420 dogs and 1,210 human inhabitants in the four towns in Arctic Greenland which have any residents at all.

Northern Greenland dogs tend to be very homogenous in terms of species and characteristics, they say, compared with those on the east and south coasts, and in the harsh climate of the far north, the animals have a very close relationship with humans, working as a team to survive in the extreme conditions faced year-round.

The Spanish explorers visited the largest glacier in the northern hemisphere – Eisfjord, in the bay of Disko – which flings 35 cubic kilometres of icebergs into the sea every year.

They also visited Bowdoin Fjord, Humboldt Glacier, Josephine Peary Island, plus Qaanaaq, Savissiavik, Kangeq, Qeqertarssuaq, Neqe and Sjorapaluk, and finally hoisted the flag of Andalucía in the North Pole.

Partly sponsored by Málaga University, the pair intend to use their research to launch campaigns in schools to raise awareness of the need to protect the environment and slow down climate change, and to encourage responsible and caring pet-ownership and animal wellbeing.

Greenland, which is on the American techtonic plate and is in an unusual political situation – having elected not to form part of the European Union despite Denmark being a full member, and enjoying thriving trade and two-way worker relocation between the island of Greenland and mainland Denmark – is showing tentative signs of becoming a burgeoning tourism destination.

Flights to Nuuk and to airports on the east coast are only possible via Reykjavík, Iceland, but regular day and overnight trips with full excursion packages are run from its neighbouring country.

Less than an hour away by air from the Icelandic capital, day and weekend excursions to eastern Greenland are rising in popularity, but remain extremely expensive, typically starting at around €1,200 just for the return journey, guided tour and meals, rising to anything up to €1,700 with hotel stays included.

But price aside, Greenland trips from Reykjavík are not just for hardy polar trekkers; the southern third, which is only snow-covered in the depths of winter and otherwise very green, has a similar temperature to that of Iceland: an average of 2ºC with about five or six hours of daylight in winter and 16ºC and 24 hours of daylight in summer.