Seal hunt toll falls; melting ice is blamed
Thousands fewer seals were killed in the first phase of Canada’s controversial hunt compared with previous years, indicating that melting ice has depleted much of the herd in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence, Fisheries Department spokesman Phil Jenkins said.
About 860 seals were killed, he said.
Unusually warm weather has led to the drowning of thousands of baby seals, Jenkins said. They cannot swim during the first few weeks of life.
Animal welfare groups have condemned the government’s decision to allow a hunt in the southern region.
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