Vigils For Doomed Seal Pups
24 March 2006
Respect for Animals is today and tomorrow (Fri 24 & Sat 25 March) holding a series of awareness raising vigils, across the UK, to highlight the plight of Canadian seal pups.
Friday vigils: Birmingham, Kings Lynn, Southampton.
Saturday vigils: Bromley, Chatham, Cheltenham, Chesterfield, Derby, Lichfield, Liskeard, Mancester, Newcastle Upon Tyne, Norwich, Nottingham, Oxford, Sheffield and Swindon.
The Canadian commercial seal hunt, which is due to take place off the east coast of Canada this week, has slaughtered almost one million seals over the last three years; 97% of them were less than three months old. This year, another 325,000 have been earmarked to die; seal pup pelts are used in the fashion industry.
Respect for Animals’ supporters are holding silent vigils outside travel agents around the UK, asking people to reconsider visiting Canada for as long as its government supports this brutal commercial slaughter.
Mark Glover, Director, Respect for Animals, said today: ‘The Canadian government continues to show its support for this annual killing spree, but there are positive ways we can all register our horror at its refusal to stop the hunt. By boycotting Canada, people who are opposed to the seal hunt can send a clear message to the new Canadian government: whilst you continue to support this brutal slaughter of hundreds of thousands of seal pups, we will withhold our support for you and your country.’
There are other ways to support the campaign, including pledging not to buy Canadian seafood and fish products – produced by many of the same people who kill the seals.
Respect for Animals is not targeting the businesses of individual travel agents, but suggesting holidaymakers choose another destination for their holidays. The Boycott Canada campaign highlights the link between the Canadian government’s support for the seal hunt and the hefty income it produces from tourism.