- checking login information
Loading...Seal Slaughter Starts in Namibia Amid Outcry
Namibia’s annual seal massacre began this weekend for a culling season that will last from July to November in what is the second largest seal hunt on earth and the largest slaughter of wild animals in Africa.
This year’s goal is to kill 80,000 pups and 6,000 bulls for their coats, fat and genitalia, which will be used in Asia as an aphrodisiac.
Authorities in Namibia claim that the seal population has grown too large and is threatening the fishing industry. “Therefore it is humane to curb the unrestrained seal population to a level where they can be sustained by the environment,” according to a statement from the government.
According to the ministry of fisheries and marine Resources, there were 1.3 million Cape fur seals in December last year, but the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) and others reject the figure because they are not allowed access to records to verify how the animals are counted, reports the AFP.
Opponents argue that it’s about nothing more than greed and commercial gain, and that it’s done with little consideration for animal welfare. Seal pups will be separated from their mothers and brutally beaten to death with spiked clubs, while adults will be shot …all in the early morning hours before tourists come to see the beaches and wildlife. Namibia is the only country that allows pups to be killed while they’re still nursing.
“Namibia cannot provide a reasonable scientific justification for its annual seal hunt,” said Jason Bell-Leask, Director IFAW Southern Africa.
“It is not even commercially viable as the price of pelts has dropped year by year and more and more countries are banning the sale of seal products – most significantly the European Union which, in May 2009, voted overwhelmingly to forbid the sale of seal products.”
A number of countries have banned seal products, with Russia being the latest with its announcement last year.
If the senseless slaughter for profit could be any more offensive, an independent study ‘The economics of seal hunting and seal watching in Namibia‘ by Economists at Large, compared the economic value of the seal slaughter with seal watching in Namibia and found that in 2008, killing 58,000 pups and 5,500 adults brought in $513,000, while the revenue from tourism brought in over $2 million.
Yet, a few continue to literally make a killing from this suffering with the small market that remains. One furrier, Australian-based Hatem Yavuz, reportedly controls 60 percent of the market and has a contract to continue killing seals with the Namibian government that extends through 2019.
“Each year up to 85,000 baby seals are killed in Namibia to make just a few dollars from their furs; this report highlights that they would be worth so much more to the Namibian economy alive. Eco-tourism is a growing part of Namibia’s identity but tourists will be shocked to find that a seal they photograph one day may be killed the next morning. There is a clear economic case for the government to protect these animals,” said Claire Bass, WSPA International Oceans Campaign Leader.
TAKE ACTION!
Please sign the petition opposing the slaughter.
Related Stories:
Cruel Badger Cull Gets Go Ahead Despite Flaws
Read more: animal cruelty, cape fur seals, cull, namibia, seal products, seals, slaughter
Photo credit: Thinkstock
Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may
not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.
Recent Comments from Causes
I question the accuracy of these statistics, and even if these numbers were accurate, that's not a pandemic,…
I'm glad to see that TV is finally looking at how people cope with disabilities. Let's hope they are…
Not sure about this one.... the older girl is an adult and should not be in any sexual relationship -…
meet our writers
270 comments
+ add your ownThank you for sharing.
Mark D.....Note the date on this article......you've already ranted about Canada and have also been told that most Canadians hate the seal hunt too.....As for "a country born in hell".....I would say we're not doing too bad compared to the US
Namibia and Canada, two countries born in hell. Their terrorist governments should go back to the hell that spawned them.
How come their right of safety is not respected?
Disgusting, this should not be allowed to happen! Poor, innocent, beautiful seals!
Of course Canada is condoning and encouraging these atrocities in Namibia with its filth terrorist leader Harper. Canada is the leader in environmental destruction and bloodbath seal slaughters (among other horrific wildlife abuses). Canada and its tool Namibia have become the evil and scourge of the earth and should be isolated and certified as environmentally terrorist countries.
This slaughter is barbaric. I am appalled that the Namibian government began killing of the precious marine mammals when the world is firmly against the killings. Namibia has once again turned a blind eye to this problem. Mankind has got to stop the slaughter of any animals, and as for the sale of genitalia to the Asians....... their ignorance and stupidity is becoming legendary. Stop encouraging their barbarism, and make them learn about compassion and civilisation. I hope those who are responsible for the seal slaughter will be cursed for the rest of their lives. Learn from Japan’s experience, the massive tsunami which was God’s revenge for the killing of innocent dolphins, whales and purpoises.
And yet another dumb poll.
Disgusting news. Signed with anger.
wrong
very nice Jerene H. is that really your solution?
login to add your comment
use your care2 login
add your comment