The Canadian actress and spokeswoman for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals sent a letter on Saturday to Canada’s Prime Minister Stephen Harper requesting an end to the country’s annual seal hunt.

The letter included signatures from more than 50,000 people who want the annual hunt to end permanently. Anderson called the hunt “an embarrassment to Canada”. She has made the appeal during the Winter Olympic Games because “the whole world is watching Canada.”

Canada’s annual East Coast seal hunt from mid-November to mid-May, mostly in Newfoundland and Labrador and in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, is the largest in the world, killing an average of 275,000 harp seals.

The hunt has long been controversial. Animal rights groups believe it is cruel, poorly monitored and provides little economic benefit. Seal hunters and Canadian authorities say it is sustainable, humane and provides income for isolated communities. Anderson’s plea may fall on deaf ears after Harper and his Cabinet dined on seal last August in support of the industry.

Source: Sunday Observer Online