Animal Cruelty or Population Control?

Due to the recent controversy of the annual Canadian Seal Hunt, Kidzworld is looking at why this hunt takes place and what other animals around the world are killed in the name of population control.

Population Contol - Harp Seals

The Canadian Seal Hunt happens every year for approximately two months. During this time, around 300,000 harp seal pups are killed. The Canadian government says that the harp seal hunt is to control the seal population, which is currently around five million. Back in the '60s and '70s, the harp seal population dropped dramatically so the government stopped the hunt. However, it was re-introduced in the 1990s when the seal population grew again. The pups killed are usually less than three months old and have just started to molt (which is when they shed their baby fur and grow their adult coats). The seals are either shot or hit repeatedly in the head until they die. Once killed, the pups are skinned and their furs are sold around the world. There are reports that seals are sometimes skinned alive, but the Department of Fisheries and Oceans regulates hunting practices and says skinning seals alive is not tolerated. Another misconception is that newborn seals, or whitecoats, are killed in the hunt, but the Canadian government banned the killing of whitecoats in 1987.

Population Control - Deer

In the United States, deer are the top choice for hunters. But regulations only allow a limited number of does (female deer) to be hunted - a rule that doesn't apply to bucks (male deer). Hunters say killing these animals helps control the deer population, which is quite high in some regions. There are environmentalists, however, who say that since the hunters kill only males, there are a lot of females left. Because of this, bucks will just mate with many different does, which continues to boost the population. Currenly in the United States there are approximately eight bucks to every doe. By banning hunting, the number of bucks and does would most likely even out. Ideas on how to control the deer population, without hunting, range from building fences to re-introducing natural predators like mountain lions and wolves.

Population Control - Gray Wolf

The Gray Wolf has been hunted by farmers who are looking to protect their livestock. In the early 1900s, before hunting regulations existed, the Gray Wolf was almost entirely wiped out of North America by humans. It was often killed for its fur, but mainly the animal was killed due to humans' fear of it. The Gray Wolf is listed on the Endangered Species List in the United States, but there have been moves in some states to take it off. There have been no known human deaths in North America linked to Gray Wolves.

For more information on hunting and population control, click here

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