Stop the Execution of Two Seal Pups in Quebec on Saturday

On September 14, 2012, Maria Coutinho wrote:

Please do not execute these poor creatures!!!!!!! Please send the to a sanctuary.

On September 14, 2012, Kate wrote:

Why is this notice and request for action coming at the 11th hour?!!!! I’ve sent email as per the request, but come on- can these seals be saved!?

FoA comments:

FoA only learned of this pending tragedy today. It’s likely that the aquarium tried to keep their actions a secret.

It seems the aquarium is being to bend under public pressure — it is actually trying to fund-raise CA$73,000 so it can care for the seals in continued captivity. But I believe we should keep the pressure on until the seals are released to a true sanctuary or released to the wild. They should not be exploited any longer.

On September 14, 2012, Patricia Browne wrote:

This is very sad I called and left a message. If they go through with this killing we should publicize it all over. The children and adults that went to the aquarium to see these animals will be very disheartened at what the aquatic zoo is doing. They should be promoting animal welfare, not animal cruelty.

On September 14, 2012, Robert Milgrom wrote:

Stop the murder! Save the seals!

On September 14, 2012, kristi machon wrote:

Please send these pups to a marine animal sanctuary. Shame on you for even considering such a irresponsible and horrible act. What the hell are you people doing there? You should be promoting animal advocacy and welfare, not cruelty.

Sincerely disgusted,
Kristi Machon

On September 14, 2012, linda wrote:

For a zoo to act like this and send this message to little kids and caring adults alike is disgusting. “Family fun” is part of your advertising somewhere, I’m sure. Your patrons should boycott any donations you ask for, because how could they trust what you’re actually doing for the animals. Shame on you.

On September 14, 2012, Kristen Ford-Newell wrote:

Why can’t you donate these perfect animals to another facility if you don’t want them. Please spare them. Save them!!!1

On September 14, 2012, Katherine Machon wrote:

Anybody else try to call? I called 418.937.2277 and got a long, involved message in French; sadly, my French is not that good… Is there another number? Someway to opt out of French and into English?
Did call the Honorable Keith Ashfield’s office, but they were closed (EST—I am Central). Left message.

Sent emails.

Forwarded to friends.

Shared on Facebook & Twitter…

The more of us who contact any way we can and/or pass it on, the better the chance to save the pups…

On September 14, 2012, DJW Wachter wrote:

Can you imagine how the patrons of this aquatic zoo would feel if they knew of the blatant disregard of these creatures? Do you think parents would like to bring their young children to such an establishment with the knowledge of the manner in which they value young animal life? Should the cruelty and lack of regard for life be brought to public light, as it is now being done through Friends of the Animals, I’m certain that it will have negative repercussions on the percentage of visitors, and subsequently and specifically, their revenue.
So many alternatives exist in lieu of destroying these young seals - be it returning them to the wild, shipping to another aquatic facility, sanctuary, or a remedy that can be as simple as taking up donations to provide for the seals’ upkeep during the closed season. After all, did they not cherish their lives during their “open” season?

It is my opinion that people who are “using” animals for exhibition and educational purposes should be ESPECIALLY in tune with the respect for life - as without it, there would be NO Aquarium des Îles.

Sincerely, DJW Wachter

On September 14, 2012, Barry Rothfuss wrote:

My wildlife rehabilitation facility in New Brunswick, Canada was contacted by another animal welfare organization yesterday to see if we would be willing to take the seals at our site to rehabilitate and release them back into the wild. We indicated that we would since we do have experience rehabing seals but the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) would have to approve the transfer.

The response we received back was that DFO does not want them released into the wild because of the fear of spreading disease to indigenous wildlife populations and they do not believe rehabbed animals survive very long in the wild.

Instead they are willing to allow the aquarium to transfer or sell them to another aquarium in France under certain time constraints and costs.

I sent the following message that we are available to assist if needed:

As per our conversation this morning we have discussed the present situation about the seals with one of our colleagues at the University of Prince Edward Island’s Atlantic Veterinary College (AVC) who specialize in wildlife medicine.


It is our joint opinion that in order to address any of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans concerns about the spread of disease by these seals to wildlife populations, or, also, for that matter, through transference to any other captive facility, it is important to do a thorough health screening of the animals before any movement.



DFO’s statement about limited survival of rehabilitated seals and concerns over the spread of diseases is in stark contrast to the work that has been done in this area by numerous prestigious marine mammal facilities around the world. Never-the-less, we all can agree that it is important to make sure that whatever action is taken that these seals are in good physical health.



When we offered our rehabilitation facilities as a process of handling these seals we were also offering an alternative that would directly help alleviate concern over potential health risks. In the Atlantic Wildlife Institute’s (AWI’s) view, this is the primary focus of a good wildlife rehabilitation program. Rehabilitation by its very nature is focused on what it takes to actually make sure an animal is healthy before it is returned to nature.



Therefore, before any action is taken to move these seals let’s find a way to get a real professional medical and husbandry assessment done to better guide the decision making process.



Both AWI and AVC bring to the table decades of experience in our related fields of work. Our team would be more than willing to provide this assessment service. Of course the Aquarium and DFO would have to agree to allow it to happen.



Please let us know what your thoughts are and if we can be of assistance.

Sincerely,
Barry Rothfuss

Executive Director

Atlantic Wildlife Institute

On September 15, 2012, Marcie Newman-Perskin wrote:

I cannot believe that you cant find another Zoo, Aquarium or Rescue for them. Its apparent that all they were to you was a way of making money. Please, consider their lives They are important, as you may not think so. We are judged by the things we do in this life = Please ==Do the right thing Re Home These beautiful creatures

On September 15, 2012, elaine wrote:

You have made your money from these two babies.Now they are no longer needed so they will be destroyed.You should be ashamed of yourselves

On September 15, 2012, Traci wrote:

Please stop the execution of the two seal pups in Quebec immediately!

On September 17, 2012, Joanne Jackson wrote:

Plaese stop the execution of the two seal pups in Quebec

On September 17, 2012, Dave Shishkoff wrote:

Hi Barry - thanks so much for your work on this, hopefully some sanity returns to the DFO…

Here’s the latest in the news, they’re ‘safe’ until the 21st, but are essentially being held ransom, as the Aquarium demands $73,000 to ship them to another aquarium in France - which makes no sense. There are obviously Canadian centres that are willing to take them in an rehab them, and that’s what we need to continue to demand. It’s bizarre that the DFO is now, after 24 years, making an issue of ‘disease’, and even so, the rehab centres are equipped to deal with this.

More can be read here: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/seals-death-sentence-sparks-outcry-from-animal-lovers-across-canada/article4548587/

Thank you for speaking up!

Dave Shishkoff
Canadian Correspondent

Friends of Animals