Wellington Animal Rights Network

Wellington Protest as Canadian seal hunt continues Ex Wellington resident currently on board protest ship in Canada

The Canadian High Commission in Wellington will be the target of a noisy protest on Tuesday as the second stage of the commercial seal hunt begins on the ice of Newfoundland. The Wellington Animal Rights Network says the protest is to oppose "the largest mass slaughter of marine animals in the world".

Protesters will meet at noon outside the Canadian High Commission, 61 Molesworth Street, Wellington

A WARN spokesperson, Mark Eden, says "The seals are unnecessarily slaughtered for vanity and luxury items. 95% of the seals killed are babies less than four weeks old and witnesses report that many of the babies are skinned alive. Theres no excuse for animal cruelty and we are urging everyone to boycott Canadian products and tourism until they stop murdering animals for vanity products".

A former Wellington activist, Lisa Shalom, is on board the Farley Mowat, the flagship of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, which is returning to bear witness to the second stage of the seal massacre.

Mark Eden said "Twelve days ago, protesters from the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society and a film crew were on the ice filming the start of the seal massacre when hunters attacked with clubs and pick axes. Several activists were injured but the Canadian Coast Guard arrested the activists not the hunters. The assaulted activists included Lisa Shalom, a former Wellington resident who was repeatedly punched in the stomach. Tomorrow the crew of the Farley Mowat will again risk injury to film the hunters doing their dirty work".

"Lisa has emailed New Zealand supporters and described baby seals trying to escape being hit with clubs by wriggling away, only then to witness their brains exploding across the ice. Lisa says the Canadian colours have a whole new meaning these days - lots of red and white" said Eden

Wellington Animal Rights Network is urging the Canadian government to drop the charges against Lisa and her fellow activists, and to end the bloody seal trade. The Wellington protest is one of several taking place around the country to oppose the Canadian seal slaughter.

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