Betreff: Canada OK's Killing of Thousands of Seal Pups
Von: Greenpeace
Datum: Thu, 10 Mar 2005 06:35:17 -0600 (CST)


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Wait a minute...you've heard this one before. Back in the 70s and 80s, the Canadian government was allowing baby seals to be clubbed to death for their fur. You can still remember the stories of the brutal killings and of Greenpeace activists spray painting the furs to render them worthless. All of that is behind us now, right?

 

The Fight Continues

A young beater seal Not so fast. Our work, and the work of others, resulted in reforms such as the 1987 ban on the killing of "whitecoat" seals - seals less than 15 days old. Since then, seal populations have slowly begun to recover.

Recently, however, Canada announced an astounding increase in the number of seals that can be killed each year. When hunting season begins later this month, up to 350,000 seals may be killed in the span of just a few days, in what would be the world's largest slaughter of marine mammals. Seals older than two weeks are considered fair game. In fact, 95 percent of the seals killed are still no more than four months old.

Take Action! Tell Canada to Stop this Brutal Hunt

It's only because of the efforts of Greenpeace and our allies that seal populations have recovered to the extent that they have. But threats such as global warming and overfishing leave the fate of the seals in a precarious state. For the Canadian government to promote this hunt is irresponsible and shortsighted.

Polar ecosystems are among the first places to suffer impacts of global warming, and populations of seals, polar bears and other wildlife have already been affected. Harp seal populations rely on sea ice for breeding, resting and nursing. As global warming melts more and more of the ice, seals have less and less room to survive.

We are working alongside dozens of other organizations, calling on the Canadian government to end the seal hunt. On March 12 and 15, we will be taking our protest directly to the Canadian government with a series of rallies at Canada's Embassy and Consulates. If you would like to stand with us, find the rally point near you.

If you can't make it out to the rallies, you can still do your part to protect the seals. Please take a moment now to tell Canadian Prime Minister Martin to stop this brutal hunt.


Tell us your Story!

A big "thank you" to the dozens of you that have already submitted your personal accounts on global warming. Whether you've experienced an extreme weather event or switched to wind power to meet your energy needs, climate change has a presence in all of our lives.

If you've gone to great lengths to stop global warming, we want to hear from you! You may be featured on the Greenpeace Web site as part of an upcoming project.

Submit your story.


The Greenpeace Organizing Term

(c) Greenpeace/Beentjes We are currently in the middle of our second successful training program for America's top student activists. If you are interested in applying for the summer or fall term, or know of someone else that may be interested, the deadline is March 25. Be part of the next wave of passionate and talented student leaders that help make the dream of a green and peaceful world a reality.

Get more details and apply now.


 
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Save the Dugong Update!

More than 4,000 people have told the Japanese government not to allow a U.S. airbase to be built on top of a coral reef - the home of the dugong. Yesterday, our executive director, John Passacantando, headed to Okinawa to support the local community in its efforts to protect this endangered species.

There's still time for you to take action.