Roar of Criticism Brings Reprieve for S. Africa Seals
The government on Wednesday temporarily suspended plans to kill 30,000 seals in response to mounting criticism from local and foreign animal rights groups.
Environment Minister Gert Kotze acknowledged that public outrage was behind his decision.
The government has granted a five-year permit to kill seals to a Taiwanese business group, Jiuh Weh Industries. The company killed more than 3,000 seals last year, but the culling was not publicized and there were no protests.
The seal bodies would be used for pet food, and the males’ genitals are prized as aphrodisiacs in the Far East.
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