“Although female harp seals leave their pups for the comfort of the water, mom is diligent and checks on her offspring often.” Photo credit: Natural Habitat
With guest co-host, Melissa Tkachyk, Canadian Campaigns Officer for the World Society for the Protection of Animals, we’ll be discussing this year’s commercial seal hunt, the cultural issues associated with it, and the viability of eco-tourism options on the east coast for celebrating seals to replace the business of destroying them. We’ll also look at the similarities between the commercial seal hunt and the commercial whale hunt that Canada banned in 1972 to see if we can learn from the past. Then, Cathy Kangas, CEO of PRAI Beauty, will tell us of her letter to Prime Minister Stephen Harper outlining her plan to raise the $16 million that the hunt brings in as an economic solution to the hunt – an offer that has been refused by the Canadian government. Kangas has also offered to work with the Canadian government to institute a buy-back program for existing hunting licenses and launch a program to promote eco-tourism.
Also, Michael Mesure, Executive Director of the Fatal Light Awareness Program (FLAP), will tell us about Lights Out Toronto!, an initiative that will be launched at City Hall with Mesure, Mayor David Miller, and others at 12:45 – 1:15 on April 11. This program will raise awareness on how Torontonians can prevent the deaths of thousands of migratory birds with simple acts like turning the lights off and help them navigate through our dense urban environment.
Listen right now:
Animal Voices 