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The Canadian Government recently gave out 1,000,000 permits
to kill harp seals for their pelts, and for no other reason. That's one million
harp seals that will die because the industry -- that's us, people! -- craves
fur coats. Isn't that sad? I did some research, and the Harp seal has only one
baby per year. If these animals are killed, the Harp Seal population will be
jeopardized, and it's already on American watch lists for becoming endangered.
I don't blame the hunters who are being hired to go kill the
animals. They are only doing it to provide money for their families. I don't
blame the Government, they only trying to boost the economy. I blame the
industry who craves this fur. If people were not so greedy around the world,
this would not happen.
I was told about this problem by my science teacher.??
She wanted my class to brainstorm and idea that would save the seals. I don't
think that she actually thought we would do something. It was just an
assignment, but now it has turned into something more. We posted flyers in the
hallway at school. (That's right, the HALLWAY, not hallways... we have but one!)
So a letter-writing campaign has started. I seemed to be the
only one worried that the Canadian Government would just throw the letters out.
I have a feeling that only Americans like Americans and only we listen to
ourselves...
At the end of April, my class will send the letters.?? We
have over 100 now from our school (one from almost every student), and I'm
trying to spread the word. Please Whyvillians, if you believe in our cause, send
a letter to the Canadian Government, saying that more research needs to be done
on the population of the harp seal, and that less permits should be given.
I'm not sure what effect we will have, but I hope that we can
do something.
elzbth02
??
Editor's Note: A fairly persuasive argument,
elzbth02, but are all your facts true??? From what I've read, the number is
more like 975,000 over three years -- which averages 325,000.?? Not exactly
a million a year, but not insignificant, especially when you compare it to the
limit for 1999-2002, which was 275,000 each year.?? Find out this and much
more at what appears to be Canada's official website for this information:
http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/seal-phoque/report-rapport_e.htm.
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