Our collection period was 29 March - 13 April 2008. We examined the Akia-Maniitsoq caribou population in West Greenland. We culled 47 caribou, which included 41 cows (34 adults and 7 sub-adults) and 6 female calves, i.e., animals about 10-months old. To obtain the animals, an average of 104 km were travelled each day by snowmobile. There was additional boat travel to reach the study area. About 300 to 400 caribou in total were observed. Average group size was 4 ± 2 S.D. caribou. The animals were "shy", which resulted in an average shooting distance of 216 ±77 S.D. metres. Maximum shooting distance was 390 metres (measured by laser distance finder). Waterproof tags for labelling animals during transport to the laboratory proved necessary. The data is still being processed, while some samples have not yet been analysed.

 Key samples taken are detailed in the field data sheets. Briefly these were date, location, elevation, sex, age classification (calf, sub-adult or adult) and the presence, absence or condition of antlers, calf-at-heel, milk in udders or calf antlers (see field data sheet). A photo record for each animal was kept. Important parameters included body, bone, fat and organ weights and measurements, tooth wear, and body condition score. Samples collected included blood, muscle, liver, kidney, urine, rumen contents, bone marrow, bone (mandible, metatarsus), ovaries, foetal tissues, feces, abomasums, small intestine contents, milk and hair. We checked for a variety of parasites including protozoa, nematodes, tapeworms, flukes and flies (e.g., besnoitia, lung worm and hydatid cysts, liver flukes, liver cysts, Tænia cysts, Seteria worms, Sinus tapeworm, warbles & bots). The disease Brucellosis (never observed in Greenland) was assessed by visual appraisal, while blood or fecal samples allowed testing for other pathogens and Johne's disease