Finally, Cape Fur Seals are
Big, Big World News
Five days ago
I appealed to the seal supporters around the world to ask the media
in southern Africa to report on the cruellest seal hunt which
started on the 1st July 2006, involving 60 000 nursing protected
baby seals in Namibia, as this, the second largest and cruellest
seal hunt in the world had sadly fallen off the media pages since
2000.
For over 30 years over a million nursing
protected baby seals have been slaughtered in a wildlife genocide
program - whilst all the big wildlife conservation organizations
stood by and watched. Not even in Canada, Greenland, Norway or
Russia, nor anywhere in the world is it legal and humane to
slaughter a nursing pup, yet Namibia has and continues to do so -
today, this will change.
Thanks to the over whelming support for
this appeal and the courageous work of some journalists and editors
- the Cape fur seals have finally become big, big world news. One
day later, Gwen Lister Editor and reporter Elma Roberts of
The Namibian carried a story on their front page,
Seal Culling season sparks new protest.
Namibian.com 2006 July
national . The next day the largest gem
diamond producer in the world, Stephen Lussier, De Beers director
of External Corporate Affairs sent me the following letter,
(please see below).
Three days later, on the eve of the fifa
Soccer World Cup final and with South Africa to become the next
2010 host country, the courageous reporters of Eleanor Momberg
and Tabby Moyo of the national newspaper Sunday
Independent and her team, pushed the World Cup to the
bottom of the front page and replaced it with the seals,
World outrage over Namibian seal cull
www.sundayindependent.co.za.
The Weekend Argus carried a similar
story, also on their front page, reads its front page,
Namibian seal cull is
'genocide'. As if this was not
enough, Donna Collins of the Windhoek Observer carried a
second article in Namibia on the weekend, Blood flows
as seal clubbing season begins.
In the coming weeks, I understand the UK
media will run articles and I am scheduled for a radio interview
with Australian Radio. I further understand the Sunday
Times is sending paparazzi to Namibia to gets some pics and
there will be additional follow-up reporting. Adam Welz of
Noseweek Magazine is doing an in-depth article and the
film crew of Danie van der Walt's SABC 2 wildlife program
50/50 is heading to Namibia to get some live interviews
and footage of the seal clubbing.
Please see below for a list of reporters and De Beers to write to
and thank (please keep you messages short)
DeBeers Pledges
Support for the Seals
(taken from www.seashepherd.org)
Thanks to the efforts of
Francois Hugo and Seal Alert in South Africa, the DeBeers Diamond
Corporation has stated that they oppose the killing of the South
African fur seals in Namibia and they will help to convince the
government of Namibia to end sealing.
Francois responded immediately to Stephen Lussier of DeBeers
saying, "Thank you as a leading mining company both
internationally, here in South Africa and Namibia, for taking such
a positive stand against seal culling. I will immediately forward
this view to all seal supporters, including the media. You have my
undying gratitude for taking this stand."
The fight to end the slaughter in Namibia continues. The support of
the De Beers Corporation is a tremendous boost to this effort.
Captain Paul Watson has sent off a letter to Mr. Stephen Lussier
expressing the gratitude of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society
for taking a stand on this issue:
Dear Mr. Lussier and DeBeers,
Word has just reached me here in the enchanted islands of the
Galapagos on the far side of the world from you, about the position
your company has taken in opposition to the slaughter of South
African Fur Seals.
On behalf of our international membership I would like to thank-you
and the DeBeers Corporation for your commitment to corporate
responsibility with regard to the conservation of nature and the
environment.
This slaughter of seals in Namibia brings shame to Southern Africa
and Sea Shepherd has been for many years supportive of Francois
Hugo and Seal Alert for the incredible effort to bring this issue
to international public attention and for his efforts to abolish
the killing.
Mr. Hugo has gained a reputation world-wide for his commitment to
these seals. The support of your company for his efforts is
heartening and is a boost to the morale of all of us who would like
to see these incredible marine mammals protected and their security
secured for future generations.
Thank-you
Captain Paul Watson
Founder and President of Sea Shepherd Conservation Society
On behalf of all the baby seals that have been
slaughtered and the ones not yet, may I thank you all on behalf of
these seals. We have a long road yet to go, to finally end this
slaughter which has plagued these seals mercilessly year after
year, since the 14th Century. I hope I can continue to count on all
your support.
A list of courageous people to thank :-
Elma Roberts the Namibian - paper01@iway.na
Donna Collins the Windhoek Observer - donnanews@africaonline.com.na
Eleanor Momberg the Sunday Independent - eleanor.momberg@inl.co.za
Stephen Lussier De Beers Group Services - Luan.Sparks@mhs7.tns.co.za
For the Seals
Francois Hugo Seal Alert-SA