March 15th is the International Day of Action for Seals, particularly the cubs of Greenland seals less than one month old. After numerous protest actions, environmental defenders finally succeeded in their demands for a complete ban on killing these animals in the White Sea area. But they are still endangered due to global climate changes, which are causing the disappearance of their habitats.
Greenland seals annually give birth to their cubs in late February-early March in the White Sea region. It is hardly possible to look at these creatures without tenderness, according to those who have at least once seen newly-born seals. People get especially impressed by their eyes, full of trust and grief.
Almost without moving and living on mother's milk, baby seals are absolutely helpless during the first five weeks of their life. And this is the time they were hunted for their valuable soft fur. Not to spoil the expensive skin, the animals were cruelly slaughtered. Fortunately, thanks to the strenuous efforts of environmentalists, this brutal business was ceased, says Konstantin Zgurovsky, the Head of WWF Russia Marine Program:
"As we see it, there are two major threats for the population of seals in the White Sea. These are global warming, followed by the thinning of ice, and ships passing ice floes where baby seals are born".
Given the inability to solve the problem of unbalanced climate, the Russian Transport Ministry has already ordered captains to avoid the rookeries of Greenland seals in February and March. The issue of employing the minor and indigenous peoples, who used to be engaged in killing seal cubs, is also being considered and they are offered to become tourist agents. A hotel and museum, dedicated to the coast-dweller life, were built in one of the seaside villages. At present, tourists are invited to visit the White Sea region to enjoy the nature and see Greenland seals and their cubs.
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