Stop the Namibian Seal Slaughter
The Namibia seal hunt is the second largest of its kind in the world. Each year, from July 1 through November 15, Cape fur seals descend on two main colonies in this region to give birth. What they have faced in recent years is a crowd of commercial hunters and part-time workers brandishing clubs, knives, and guns.
At dawn, these hunters round up the nervous seals, and the carnage begins. Nursing pups, clinging desperately to their mothers, are particularly targeted, as are bulls (seal penis is valued as an aphrodisiac in Asia). In Cape Cross, a tourism resort, a fresh layer is spread across the bloody sand and the carcasses are dragged away just in time to let tourists in to ogle, unknowingly, at the traumatized seal survivors.
On September 20, 2011, there was a meeting with John Walters, Ombudsman of Namibia, and concerned stakeholders from around the world. Namibia's annual seal slaughter was found to be illegal as national legislation outlaws the repeated clubbing to death, torture, or harassment of any animal, including seals.
However, the government is currently employing delaying tactics. Sign this petition to urge John Walters to place a moratorium on seal slaughter until this issue is resolved.
Dear Ombudsman John Walters,
I am writing out of deep concern regarding Namibian seal culling. Namibia is the only nation in the southern hemisphere that still allows this practice to continue in all of its barbaric glory.
It was proven in no uncertain terms at a recent meeting with government officials and international stakeholders that Namibia's annual seal slaughter is in fact illegal. National legislation outlaws the repeated clubbing to death, torture, or harassment of any animal, including seals. However, Namibia continues to break its own law when it comes to the illegal slaughter of Cape fur seals. Most abominably, in some places, this practice is conducted in conjunction with tourism; workers hastily cover bloodied sand and then lead tourists to gawk at the traumatized seals who have survived that morning's carnage.
We the undersigned ask you to grant a moratorium to suspend seal slaughter until you can make a competent and complete decision that protects Namibia's economy and also protects these seals. It would be in the best interest in all parties concerned.
Sincerely,
[your name here]
