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IFAW witnesses cruel hunting activity on opening day of Canada's seal hunt

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Monday, 31, Mar 2008 12:00

IFAW documents hunting activity on opening day of Canada’s commercial seal hunt – new bleeding requirement ignored

“We witnessed today a classic example of the cruelty associated with this hunt. We filmed as a sealer struck a seal with a hakapik before it slipped into the water. The sealer tried to pull the seal out by the hind flippers but it slipped underwater anyway,” said Cheryl Jacobson, hunt observer with IFAW. “This wounded seal will most likely die underwater and unbelievably, that kill won’t even be counted in the official catch number.”

“We’ve just filmed four seals being killed and not a single one was bled out before moving it,” said Sheryl Fink, hunt observer and Senior Researcher with IFAW. “If the DFO is serious about the new condition of license I expect to see them take action on this.”

“Based on what we’ve seen today, it’s ‘business as usual’ here in Canada,” added Fink. “The rush to club as many seals as possible in a short period of time, combined with the slippery ice conditions means that once again, animal welfare takes a back seat to profit.”

Ends

Contacts:

For more information, or to arrange interviews, please contact Clare Sterling at IFAW UK on 07917 507717 or Rosa Argent on 07801 613524

Note to Editors:

IFAW has a team of professional video cameramen and photographers ready to document the hunt. Images will be fed out via www.thenewsmarket.com/ifaw as they are obtained.

Visit www.thenewsmarket.com/ifaw frequently for updated broadcast quality video and still images of the 2007 commercial seal hunt.

APTN satellite feeds will be available once the hunt begins. Feed times TBA.

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