From -40 Below Comes An Incredible Conservation Story
Throughout these first two seasons, Hard Truths of Conservation has taken Dan Cabela to many fascinating places across the globe in the name of conservation. However, none have been quite as extreme and remote as where he found himself last month --- the Arctic.
After a long series of flights and multiple weather delays, Dan was finally amongst the vast nothingness of Arctic Bay, Nunavut. Archeological evidence and oral history shows that Inuit have inhabited the area dating back nearly 5,000 years. Excellent hunting has long drawn nomadic groups of Inuit to the region. The community as it stands today was established with the opening of a Hudson’s Bay Company post in 1927. The area is so isolated and remote that the community's first school was not established until 1959.
When you have rich cultural history, fascinating people, and conservation stories all intertwined, that is a place Dan Cabela is drawn to. One of the major takeaways from this trip was learning how important hunting and wildlife are to the communities daily existence --- after all, it's what brought nomadic people here. The Inuit's history is woven into their culture through traditions like throat singing, as well as soapstone and whale bone carvings. In fact, Dan was able to observe and document a traditional hunt on the ice while enduring extreme and challenging conditions. It was tough on camera gear and their bodies, but the team came away with one amazing story that you're not going to want to miss.
Look for this episode to air later this year on season three of Hard Truths of Conservation.