ここ５０年で最大のアザラシ猟
多くの人は、カナダが何十年も前に赤ちゃんアザラシの狩猟を禁止したと勘違いしています。しかし実際、現在狩猟されているアザラシの数は乱獲によってアザラシが絶滅の危機に直面した１９５０年代から６０年代と比べても劣らない数なのです。この章では、毎年行われるアザラシ猟の事実と、なぜカナダ政府がアザラシ猟に関する事実を公にしないのかに迫ります。
アザラシは２月末から３月中旬にかけて出産し、不毛の氷の地を広大な育児室に変えてしまいます。新しく生まれた子供たちは、お母さんの脂肪分に富んだ母乳のおかげで、１週間ほどで丸々と太りフサフサ毛になります。
そして１２日後、お母さんアザラシは子供のもとを去り、雄の群れに加わることで、次のつがいの準備に入ります。
置き去りにされた子供アザラシは最初はお母さんが見えなくなって泣きますが、じきにおちつきます。
During this time the seals survive on the thick layer of blubber they
have accumulated during nursing. A few days later, their white coats are
lost to reveal the sleek, black-spotted, silvery pelt of the young harp seal
known as a “beater.” A pelt they will soon be clubbed or shot to
death for.
From Beauty to Devastation in Just A
Heartbeat
The scene is stunning – a world built entirely of blue, grey and white. The only sounds are the wind, the ice cracking and heaving, and the soft mews of the pups.
Yet just days later, this pristine wonderland is transformed into a makeshift factory for the mass killing of baby seals as sealers descend upon them in boats, helicopters and snowmobilies, armed with clubs and guns.
This year's annual hunt will continue until the industry reaches its quota of 319,500 dead seals. But many more will die and never be accounted for, leaving more than a million seals bludgeoned or shot to death in just three years, all in the name of profit.
;)
Harp seal description and natural history. Click on image to enlarge.
;)
As soon as the seals start to lose their fluffy white coats, they are at risk of
being shot or clubbed to death. This year's hunt will continue until over
300,000 seals are dead.
© IFAW/S.Cook
;)
Every year sealers come to the ice in boats, helicopters and snowmobiles and
armed with clubs and guns.
© IFAW/S.Cook
