Observers from Dutch animal protection group Bont voor Dieren and investigations firm Ecostorm were reportedly physically attacked this week by seal hunters in Namibia. The observers were attempting to document and film the commercial seal slaughter. It was further reported by Agence France Presse that the Namibian authorities arrested the observers (Namibia has placed tight restrictions on visits to the seal colonies) rather than the sealers.
Humane Society International condemns attempts by the sealing industry and governments to block independent observation and documentation of commercial seal slaughters.
"Each year, tens of thousands of nursing seal pups are cruelly clubbed and stabbed to death in Namibia for their fur," said Rebecca Aldworth, director of Humane Society International Canada. "With markets for seal products closing, the Namibian sealing industry is clearly desperate to hide the shocking images of this globally condemned slaughter from the public."
Commercial seal slaughters are horrific and cruel processes. The reported attacks on seal hunt observers in Namibia are, regrettably, not unusual outbursts around such events. In Canada, HSI seal hunt observers, independent journalists and parliamentarians are routinely threatened, harassed and physically attacked to prevent them from documenting the seal hunt.
Recently, Namibia was in global headlines when the only seal hunt concessionaire in the country
Enviroshop is maintained by dedicated NetSys Interactive Inc. owners & employees who generously contribute their time to maintenance & editing, web design, custom programming, & website hosting for Enviroshop.