End Namibia's Barbaric Seal Cull
Cape fur seals, also known as South African fur seals, historically inhabited the islands off the coast of South Africa. But over-hunting and harassment from humans have forced them from the islands and onto the mainland of Namibia and South Africa. Now, the Cape fur seals are threatened by a commercial hunt that grows larger every year.
Namibia is the only country in the Cape fur seal's range in which commercial hunting is permitted. Sealing occurs on two mainland colonies, Cape Cross and Wolf/Atlas Bay, where 75 percent of the pups are born. From July 1 through Nov. 15, commercial hunters hire approximately 160 part-time workers to kill the seals, most pups between the ages of 7 and 11 months. Sealers gather around the colony and guard them from the safety of the ocean. The pups are clubbed in the head with large, ice pick looking clubs while nursing on their mothers. The sealers then stab the pups in the heart. Pups vomit on their mother’s milk while the sealers begin to slice into their skin. All of this is done without first seeing if the pup is still alive.
Despite a declining population of Cape fur seals and high mortality rates among the seal population, the hunting quota increases every year.
Cape fur seals are listed on Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Species on Appendix II are not threatened with extinction, but their survival is dependent on conservation measures.
The hunt in Namibia is the second largest commercial seal hunt in the world, and it would not comply with most other nations' laws protecting marine mammals. It is inhumane and unsustainable. Its high quotas are non-precautionary and violate modern basic principles of good wildlife management.
The Ministry of Fisheries says it has on several occasions asked for public opinion on a more “humane” way of culling and to date no animal rights organization has come up with an alternative method.
Dear Mr. Nahas Angula,
I am shocked that the Namibian government is promoting the brutal, senseless slaughter of Cape fur seal pups and bulls. The pups are so young they are still nursing! I have seen the sickening images of this horrifying massacre on YouTube and have forwarded this information to everyone I know. These seals are dying due to starvation - a result of Namibia's reckless over-fishing. To massacre these seals, on top of causing their starvation is abominable. This population is now in jeopardy. South Africa stopped killing seals years ago. Why does Namibia remain in the Dark Ages? You have an obligation to protect the Cape fur seal species. I urge you to stop this slaughter at once. I will not travel to Namibia, nor will I purchase Namibian products until the Cape fur seal killing is banned forever.
Sincerely ,
The undersigned
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