They are not endangered

Narwhal populations worldwide number about 123,000 mature individuals, with more than three-quarters of them spending their summers in the Canadian Arctic, according to the IUCN Red List of Endangered Species. The narwhal is found in northeastern Canada, Greenland, and northern Russia all the way to the East Siberian Sea, where it is currently classified as being of "Least Concern". Narwhals are thought to exist in 12 subpopulations, with 10 having more than 10,000 individuals and two having fewer than 35,000. The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada has classified narwhal as a "special concern" in Canada (COSEWIC). This designates species that could become endangered or vulnerable due to a confluence of biological traits and known threats.

Narwhals, like the majority of arctic predators, are highly dependent on sea ice to survive. In order to avoid being eaten by predators like killer whales, they use it to hide. In the Middle East and Southeast Greenland, declining narwhal numbers have been linked to rising water temperatures. Narwhal abundance was lowest whereas summer sea temperatures were highest (43 F) (less than 2,000 individuals).