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Schrijfactie: De vergeten zeehondenjacht in RuslandTerwijl de ogen van de wereld gericht zijn op de Canadese zeehondenjacht, vindt er tegelijkertijd in Rusland een soortgelijk bloedbad plaats onder de Russische zeehondenpopulatie. Met één groot verschil ... sommige van de zeehondjes belanden op 'zeehondenboerderijen'.
Het volledig artikel vind je op: De vergeten zeehondenjacht in Rusland Schrijfactie voor meer ecotoerisme
I would like to express my deepest concerns regarding the Seal pup hunting and Seal Farming which will take place this March and April in the Arkangelsk, White Sea region of Russia. The number of baby seal pups slaughtered has more than doubled over the last ten years from 18,183 in 1992 to the recent figures of 39,111 in 2001 and 37,936 in 2003. These thousands of 9 to 12 day old baby seals are murdered solely for their fur; and they are killed in the most inhumane manner by being clubbed to death on the ice. I understand that the capture of young pups for seal farming takes place in the region; where if not killed on the ice, or if the allocated hunt quota is reached, the young pups are placed in individual nets; then arranged into groups of around 50, and airlifted by chartered helicopter (costing $1000 per hour) to the seal farms located in areas such as Koida. Seal farming in this region is common and places a great deal more stress on the pups than direct killing on the ice. Placed into holding pens; the pups are not fed during their confinement and they are often known to try and suckle each other for the much wanted milk. The pups succumb to disease due to stress and overcrowding, often indicated by bleeding at the mouth; something never seen in the wild. On the farms, 24 hour guards are employed. When their coats reach the correct stage for processing, pups are killed in batches of around 50 animals by being injected under the flipper with ‘Dithyllinum’ a drug which has been condemned by the American Veterinary Medical Association. Dithyllinum is supposed to cause death by immobilising the respiratory muscles, causing fatal suffocation. If a pup is only given a dosage which causes paralysis, which is quite possible, it is impossible to see whether it is dead or still alive. Thus, as a result of this, a certain percentage of pups from the farms are literally skinned whilst only paralysed but very much still alive. I ask you please to refer my disgust at this slaughter to the highest authorities, and ask of the Consulate to promote Eco-Tourism in the White Sea region to see the pups in their natural environment instead of murdering them. The locals who currently hunt could turn their skills into acting as tourist guides during the Spring season. The region is well known internationally for its history and beautiful architecture. In this modern age of 2005, I do not consider that any form of seal pup hunting is acceptable or that the local communities still have to rely on such barbarity for their livelihood. Can you also please explain how such allegedly poor and financially deficient hunting communities can pay around $1000 per hour for the hire of around eight helicopters flying approximately 4 to 6 hours per day out to the ice floes; or is this hunt financially supported and encouraged by the Russian authorities ? Please stop the hunt and bring the region into the 21st Century by promoting Eco-Tourism. I will do everything in my power to inform as many people as possible about the mass murder of seal babies which takes place in Russia every year. You are in a position to stop it – please do it ! Yours Sincerely,
Stuur deze naar: Ambassade van de Russische Federatie en voor Nederland
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