MONTREAL, QUEBEC--(Marketwire - April 13, 2011) -
Note to editors: A photo is included with this press release on Marketwire's website.
"On the third day of the commercial seal slaughter, sealers are violating the few, inadequate rules that exist to protect seals," said Rebecca Aldworth, executive director of Humane Society International/Canada. "Everywhere, baby seals are being shot in the face, the neck, the back or the flippers. Wounded and in agony, they are crawling through and choking on their own blood. Some of the shot seal pups slid into the water and the sealers couldn't retrieve them--they died horribly and painfully. So many of the baby seals they are killing still have much of their white fur intact, meaning they are just two or three weeks of age."
| WHAT: | Canada's commercial seal slaughter opened in the "front" half an hour before sunrise on Monday, April 11. Humane Society International/Canada is on location to document Canada's 2011 commercial seal slaughter. Broadcast quality video and stills will be available for media download. |
| WHERE: | The "front" (waters northeast of Newfoundland, Canada). |
| WHO: | Rebecca Aldworth, Newfoundland native and executive director of Humane Society International Canada has witnessed the seal slaughter for the past 13 years. |
| HOW: | Email or call media contact below to obtain still images and video. |
| Background: | A record low sea ice formation off of Canada's east coast is resulting in exceptionally high pup mortality this year. Unmoved by the mass seal pup mortalities, the Canadian government has raised the seal quota by 80,000. This year, sealers will be allowed to slaughter 468,200 seals—the highest seal quota in Canadian history. Unbelievably, the few seal pups who have survived the ice disaster may now be beaten and shot to death for their fur. However, with prices for seal fur in Canada remaining low this year, reduced participation in the seal hunt is expected. |
Humane Society International/Canada is a leading force for animal protection, representing tens of thousands of members and constituents across the country. HSI Canada has active programs in companion animals, wildlife and habitat protection, marine mammal preservation and farm animal welfare. HSI Canada is proud to be a part of Humane Society International—one of the largest animal protection organizations in the world, with more than 11 million members and constituents globally—On the Web at www.hsicanada.ca.
To view the photo associated with this press release, please visit the following link: http://www.marketwire.com/library/20110413-Commerical_Seal_Hunt_800.jpg
Contact Information:
514-261-6007
dpogas@hsi.org
www.hsicanada.ca
Heather Sullivan
240-477-2251
hsullivan@humanesociety.org
