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Canada's controversial annual seal hunt kicked off today, promising for the first time more humane killing methods - but animal rights groups remain unconvinced.
The government is allowing hunters to kill up to 275,000 young harp seals on the ice floes off Eastern Canada, but only three had been reported killed on the first morning of the hunt in the Gulf of St Lawrence.
As well as setting the limit for this year's harvest, Canada has adopted Independent Veterinarians Working Group recommendations to make the slaughter less cruel and curb international protests over the hunt.
The new rules require hunters to check an animal's pupils and to slit its main arteries if there are any signs of life, after clubbing or shooting a seal, officials said.
Canada banned the killing of the youngest seals, less than 12 days old, in 1987 amid criticisms and threats of European boycotts that pushed the industry to the brink of collapse.
- REUTERS, HERALD ONLINE STAFF
