Shocking footage has emerged of baby seals being killed as part of a national cull ordered by the Canadian government.
Nearly half a million harp, hooded and grey seals will be slaughtered under the government’s plans. Despite lack of global demand for seal fur, the animals are shot, clubbed and then skinned in order to make a profit.
Sir Paul McCartney is amongst many high profile figures to speak out against the seals’ death warrant.
He told the Humane Society: "Canada's brutal commercial seal hunt has begun, and once again thousands of baby seals will be shot and bludgeoned to make fur products that nobody wants or needs.
“The European Union's trade ban on commercial seal hunt products has already helped save more than one million baby seals from a horrible fate. But we need to ensure the EU keeps this strong ban intact. That's why my friends at Humane Society International are once again setting out for the ice flows for the grim task of catching this horror on film.
“Their videos of the bloody seal slaughter provide the only vital evidence to demonstrate year after year that these seals are dying a horrible death for their fur.
“As HSI bears witness to this cruelty, I wish them well and hope that this will be the last year that Canada's ice turns red."
Many images were too shocking for us to include.
To find out more about the seal cull and what you can do to help go to www.hsi.org.uk.