Unwanted Observers

Posted by Rebecca Aldworth

Once again, the Canadian government is doing everything in its power to block documentation of the commercial seal hunt. Today, as sealers maneuvered their vessels through the ice floes, searching out baby seals, our permitting nightmare continued. We received a call from fisheries officials at 10 a.m., informing us we would receive permits to observe the seal hunt for the day. However, two hours later as we waited in the Department of Fisheries and Oceans office, we still had no permits in hand. As the weather worsened, it became clear our window of opportunity to document the hunt this afternoon was closing fast.

Today’s frustrating series of events proves to independent media and parliamentarians just how desperate the Canadian government is to cover up the cruelty of this slaughter. In coming here, The Humane Society of the United States and Humane Society International face seemingly insurmountable obstacles at times. From the efforts of the Canadian government to thwart observation, to the physical assaults by sealers on the ice floes, this is one of the most difficult events on Earth to film.

But we will be here as the hunt opens again tomorrow. Our cameras will show the world what happens when seal hunters are allowed to club, shoot, cut open, and skin hundreds of thousands of baby seals for their fur. Please stand with us as we release our first videos and photographs from the hunt tomorrow. Take a moment now to watch our video about what we’re up against, and see how you can help us save the seals.