By Bryanna Lewis, Oregon State University ’25
Climate change is destroying the sea ice habitat necessary for baby seals to survive, and thousands are dying as you read this. Astonishingly, the Canadian sealing industry wants to increase seal slaughter. Despite the Canadian government admitting populations are as low as 3.5 million, there are indications the government is working to expand commercial sealing to over 600,000 animals per year. Innocent baby seals, most under three months old, have fought to survive their first moments and will be brutally tortured and killed for fur coat production.
Trading in seal products has been banned in 38 countries and continues to grow. People around the world, including most Canadians, have loudly rejected the cruel and inhumane slaughter of baby seals in Atlantic Canada. It is long overdue for the Canadian government to start caring about the welfare of animals. Join the Alliance in signing Humane Society International’s letter urging the government to finally end the commercial seal hunt and take immediate legislative action to protect baby seals from further horrific suffering.