Speak out against slaughter: Whales need you

Apr 8, 2010

Activist Peggy Oki worked with WSPA on the Origami Whale Initiative in 2004 to highlight concerns about whaling. Here some of the origami whales on show.
© WSPA

April is a dangerous time for whales in Norwegian waters: it marks the start of the whaling season. Without your help up to 1,286 minke whales will die this year from exploding harpoon and rifle wounds.

Norway needs to know that this is unacceptable, NOW.

Norway is one of just three countries defying the international ban on commercial whaling, undermining its reputation as a progressive nation concerned with animal welfare. By adding your signature to this petition, you let the Norwegian government know that you oppose this cruel and unnecessary practice.

A cruel death

The sheer size of whales, coupled with the challenging hunting environment, means that there’s simply no humane way to kill these animals at sea.
Norway’s own data* shows that at least one in five hunted whales suffers a long, agonising death. Some take over an hour to succumb to their injuries. Imagine the pain.

This cruelty isn’t wanted or needed. With your support we can stop it.

The majority of Norwegians oppose whaling

A 2009 opinion poll found that the majority of Norwegians agree the suffering inflicted by whaling is unacceptable, and that only 1% of the population eats whale meat regularly. April 2010 sees Whalewatch members Dyrebeskyttelsen Norge, NOAH – for dyrsrettigheter and the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) deliver a petition to Norway’s Ministry of Fisheries . Calling for an end to whaling, the petition has already been signed by thousands of Norwegians.

Despite this, Norway continues to defy the whaling ban: 2010’s kill quota is the highest in 25 years. The Norwegian government claims to receive little criticism over whaling. It is time that changed.