Where is the seal carcass containing the auk birds left to ferment for *Kiviak* preparation?
Answer
Weighted down and left to ferment in the permafrost for several months
The preservation method used for *Kiviak* relies entirely on the natural conditions of the Arctic environment. After the small auk birds are placed inside the sealed seal carcass, the entire package is weighted down to keep it submerged or stabilized, and crucially, it is left to ferment within the permafrost. This lengthy process, lasting several months, allows the natural enzymes and the seal fat to break down the birds, transforming the proteins and fats into a shelf-stable, highly concentrated form of energy.

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