The end may be in sight for Harp Seals

A glimmer of hope shines for Canadian Harp Seals as it seems the end of the commercial seal slaughter in Canada is in sight.  

Due to the public outcry and years of campaigning, global demand for seal products has dramatically reduced and become almost obsolete.  This means that around 300,000 baby Harp Seals were saved this year and in the past four years over one million have been spared. (Figures taken from HSUS)

Even more good news is that Canadian Senator Mac Harb, last month, introduced legislation in the Canadian Senate to end the commercial slaughter and the bill was unanimously approved to pass for second reading.

Before we get too comfortable we must remember that Harp Seals are still being slaughtered, this year the Canadian government authorised sealers to club and shoot 400,000 seals.  

Mac Harb's critical legislation is still up for debate so we need to convince the Canadian Senate to support this lifesaving bill and end the horrendously cruel seal slaughter for good.  Please spare a moment to click here and show your support.

Full Protection for Chimpanzees

Deadline for this Action: Monday 31st October 2011 

The Humane Society of the United States has informed me that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is reviewing a rule that allows chimpanzees to be used for entertainment, experiments and as exotic pets, despite their status as an endangered species.  This rule has been around for decades.  

We have until 31st October to contact the Fish and Wildlife Service to give all chimpanzees (captive and wild) full protection under the Endangered Species Act.  Please click here and fill in a few details before hitting send to remind the Service that giving chimpanzees full protection under the Act would show that the U.S. is committed to conservation of this amazing, intelligent species. 

As I have mentioned in a previous post, myself and my other half were given a fantastic birthday gift, a Zoo Keeper for a day experience at Dudley Zoo in the West Midlands.  We were able to get up close and personal with animals such as chimpanzees, lions, penguins, giraffes and tapirs to name but a few.  I was amazed by the fierce intelligence of the chimps and how astounding they really are, it is an experience I will never forget.  Please do all you can to help protect them.

Remember, tell your friends!

Canned lion hunting

When thinking of South Africa I always imagine animals like lions and elephants roaming freely along the plains, happily going about their business. I was shocked to hear that this isn't always the case, I received an email from HSUS today informing me of the captive breeding of lions that are bred to supply the growing demand for canned lion hunting. Canned lion hunting allows a hunter (usually wealthy and from the US or Europe, it was also marketed to people attending World Cup matches) to effortlessly turn the lion into an exotic animal trophy.

South Africa has a financial interest in protecting and conserving their delightful wildlife as each year thousands of tourists descend for a glimpse of the fascinating animals. Little do they know that thousands of lions are kept under inhumane conditions to keep the canned hunts going. The lions are kept in small enclosures and are made to depend on humans which is completely unnatural.

A few years ago the Ministry of Environment and Tourism in South Africa issued regulations to ban the canned lion hunting operations, in turn the canned hunting industry appealed to the court which has brought things to a standstill until the case is heard later on this year. The Minister, Marthinus van Schalkwyk was very outspoken against canned hunting and stated "South Africa has a long-standing reputation as a global leader on conservation issues. We cannot allow our achievements to be undermined by rogue practices such as canned lion hunting." Marthinus is now the Minister of Tourism for South Africa and has the power to impact on the canned hunting industry through his new role.

In May this year, Marthinus launched the first National Tourism Sector Strategy calling for growth in responsible tourism, unfortunately the need to eliminate canned lion hunting was not mentioned despite this practice tainting the image of South Africa. The marketing of canned hunts to tourists needs to be eliminated in order for tourism to grow in a responsible way. The strategy currently states, "Its natural environment is one of South Africa's greatest tourism resources, and therefore there is a need for the tourism industry to be actively involved in conserving and protecting our natural environment." Lions are a part of the natural environment and a big draw for tourists but lion breeding farms and canned hunting operators provide no conservation benefits.

Please click on this link and enter your details in order to contact Marthinus and let him know that he should call for the elimination of inhumane activities like canned lion hunting because in the long run it will drive tourists away from South Africa and a strategy that allows such operations to continue will ultimately undermine South Africa's tourism goals.

Article adapted from HSUS.

Edit: When completing the form over at HSUS it asks you to personalise the letter, I have added a paragraph about how the canned lion hunts has made me reconsider visiting South Africa as my tourism would be contributing to the industry.

Action Alert: Whaling

It's been a while since I posted some campaigns and action alerts so here is a call for help from the Humane Society of the US asking for people to assist them in contacting President Obama and asking him to make the moratorium on commercial whaling stronger as the current plan being considered by the International Whaling Commission which would give approval to Japan, Norway and Iceland participating in commercial whaling.

If you follow this link it will take you to a ready prepared e-mail but you may need to spend a bit of extra time on this one as the HSUS ask you to add your own comments.

Here are some suggested additions:

The proposal will not save whales--it will kill them.

It will allow whaling in the Antarctic Southern Ocean Sanctuary.

It will stimulate new whaling markets rather than close out struggling subsidized industries.

The proposal is not based on sound science. The quota numbers used are based on politics.

The proposal does not address animal welfare issues.

The proposal was developed using a process that prevented civil society from having any input or role in the negotiations.

I had a bit of trouble with the link so if it doesn't work please e-mail me at the.animal.news@googlemail.com and let me know and I'll direct you to the page another way.

Canada's Seal Slaughter

On April 13^th Canada’s annual seal cull began to wind down, despite record low ice cover and dwindling support, this years hunt went ahead with a higher quota than previous years. Thousands of seal pups have been brutally killed despite the Canadian governments declarations that the slaughter will be humane.

In 11 months time the slaughter will begin again, this gives us 11 months to work together and stop this once and for all.

There is good news… Last week Peta informed me that despite increasing the allowable catch of harp seals by cull to be scaled back and close early. This proves that tireless work from Animal Welfare Organisations such as Peta, Humane Society of the United States, Respect for Animals and IFAW really is paying off.

It is vital that we keep pressurising Canada to stop the seal cull for good.

Depending on where in the world you live you can do something important to help.

If you live in the EU

Simply enter your details and when you get to the “State” box just select “none”.

If you live in Canada

Your role is very important as you have more of a say than anyone from another country, please do what you can as it will really make a difference. There are several things you can do here and I promise it won’t take you very long at all.

If you live in the USA

Also, please can you complete this pledge and send it to the address at the bottom of the page?

If you have some extra time have a look here at what else you can do to help.

Resources and Futher Information from the HSUS and HSIC.

Pocket Guide to Boycotting Canadian Seafood

More Information

Fast Facts

Myths and Facts

Seals and Fisheries

Economics of the Seal Slaughter

Why the Canadian Government Supports the Seal Slaughter

I’m sorry for the information overload but this should give you everything you need to know about the seal cull and hopefully inspire you to take action.