Our collection period was 3-17 March 2009. We examined the Kangerlussuaq-Sisimiut caribou population in West Greenland. We culled 50 caribou, which included 40 cows (36 adults and four sub-adults) and 10 calves (six females and four males). Cows over 3-years were considered adults, and those under 3-years sub-adults.  Age classification was based on the presence of a full set of adult teeth. All calves were about 10-months old, and associated with one of the culled cows, as calf-at-heel. To obtain the animals, an average of 62 km was travelled each day by snowmobile. About 301 caribou in total were observed. Average group size was 2.9 ± 2.2 SD caribou. Maximum group size was 14. The animals varied from extremely shy of our presence to only mild avoidance. Thus shooting distances were reduced compared to last year's Akia-Maniitsoq caribou collection. Average shooting distance was 157 ± 57 SD metres, with a maximum of 278 metres (measured by laser distance finder). Waterproof identification tags were again useful for the several hour long transport to the laboratory. Calf-at-heel, and any foetus, received the same identification number as the mother. The database is still being filled in and many samples are not yet analysed. 
Figure 1. The Kangerlussuaq area where 40 caribou cows and 10 calves-at-heel were collected in March 2009 for body condition and health analysis.

Key samples collected are detailed in the field data sheets. Briefly these were date, location, elevation, sex, age classification (calf, sub-adult (<3-years) or adult) and the presence, absence and condition of antlers, calf-at-heel, milk in udders or calf antlers and gross body measurements (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 & Sarcocystis 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.
Of special note, was the need to carefully make a small opening for the escape of rumen gas during transport of the carcasses. Unlike the winter diet of Akia-Maniitsoq caribou, the Kangerlussuaq-Sisimiut herd consume predominantly graminoids in copious quantities. Within relatively short time periods, the graminoids caused excessive expansion and rupture of the rumen. A tiny belly slit allowing gases to escape avoided this problem altogether.