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March 24, 2009

Canadian Seal Hunt Faces Criticism
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In Canada, the annual seal hunt has begun despite increasing criticism
from animal rights organizations. The Canadian government has announced
that hunters will be allowed to kill 280,000 young harp seals this year,
a slight increase over last year. Although most animals are shot, some
are killed by blows from large spiked clubs. International pressure is
growing to stop the seal hunt. Last week, Russia banned the hunting of
baby harp seals, weeks after Prime Minister Vladimir Putin called it a
“bloody industry.” Russia’s Minister of Natural Resources called sealing
“one of the most inhumane types of hunting in the world.”



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