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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2009
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BBC Film Crew Captures 'Arctic Unicorns'

Elusive narwhals tracked on icy migration

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(Newser) – A BBC crew has captured on film a hauntingly majestic pod of narwhals, their unicorn-like tusks slicing through Arctic waters. It's believed to be the first such film of the mysterious, elusive mammals, reports the BBC. The aerial team spotted the animals last summer as they negotiated their way through a web of ice cracks on their annual migration to find food. The mammals risk death if they submerge beneath ice for too long and fail to find openings where they can breathe.

"It was an amazing sight," said a member of the team. "These animals are just so completely unreal—they are like something from mythology—and we were all just completely gobsmacked when we saw them."

A narwhal shows off unicorn-like tusk.
A narwhal shows off unicorn-like tusk.   (©berbercarpet)
Piece of a Narwal killed by a hunter sits on the ice in this prize-winning photograph.
Piece of a Narwal killed by a hunter sits on the ice in this prize-winning photograph.   (AP Photo/Paul Nicklen/National Geographic Magazine)
Narwhal swims off the coast of northern Canada. They thrive in ice-choked seas where humans can rarely venture.
Narwhal swims off the coast of northern Canada. They thrive in ice-choked seas where humans can rarely venture.   (AP Photo/APL/University of Washington, Kristin Laidre)
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4 comments
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Mr.C
Feb 10, 09 11:12 AM CST
so much cooler than a deer for mounting Reply
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Doctor_Zaius
Feb 10, 09 11:53 AM CST
Hey, what you do in on your own time is your business.
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radnip
Feb 10, 09 5:30 PM CST
Just goes to show humans will kill anything -- other humans, unicorns. Reply
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Shannonals
Feb 12, 09 3:52 PM CST
Amazing Reply
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