'Baby Seal' to Remind Travel Writers About Canada's Shame

Journalists Who Extol Canada's Glory Alerted to the Nation's Gory Side

For Immediate Release:
April 12, 2010

Contact:
Shakira Croce  757-622-7382  

San Francisco, Calif. -- Holding a sign that reads, "Canada: Stop the Seal Slaughter," PETA's "baby seal" will confront travel writers about the country's annual spring massacre of tens of thousands of baby seals. The journalists will be in town to attend the Northern Lights Media Awards ceremony, which honors members of the media who have boosted Canadian tourism. PETA members will also hand out leaflets featuring Sir Paul McCartney, Canada's own Pamela Anderson, and other notable people who have denounced the seal slaughter.

Where:  The Fairmont San Francisco, 950 Mason St. (at the top of Nob Hill), between Sacramento and California streets
When:    Tuesday, April 13, 12 noon
 
Last year, three-fourths of the nearly 300,000 harp seals expected to be killed were spared--in part because the price of seal fur has plummeted as international outrage against the seal slaughter rises. The European Union and the U.S. have banned seal products, and world leaders--including President Barack Obama and bear hunter Vladimir Putin--have spoken out against the massacre.

"We hope that the travel writers will use their influence to help stop the seal slaughter and restore Canada's image as a progressive nation," says PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman. "If Canada wants to attract tourists, the first thing that it should do is cancel the widely condemned seal massacre."

For more information, please visit PETA.org.