The annual seal hunt in Namibia is underway at Cape Cross under strict privacy and the international animal rights groups are up in arms. The Namibian seal cull is a hot topic which can only be described as a cruel, inhumane and unjustified slaughter of tens of thousands of baby seals. International conservation groups have warned that Namibia will be black marked and this will affect tourism in the country and will cost them more than they expect in the long run.

The annual seal hunt is about get underway in Namibia and as every year there is an outcry from the animal rights groups and many individuals. At Cape Cross, the biggest colony of seals, high tech filming equipment was found – which were disguised as rocks. This has caused the police to heighten security and have warned anybody that is not authorized to stay well clear of the area or else they will be “dealt with”. Namibia does not allow the culling to be filmed or photographed and anybody trying to do so will have to face the consequences.

A curious scene was caused in a settlement on the outskirts of Rundu when an animal was found hanging dead from a tree. It was a while before it could be confirmed if the animal was in fact a lion or a dog. After officials got involved, it was confirmed that it was in fact not a lion, but that the police would be investigating a case of cruelty to a dog.

It was a terrible and sad day for conservation, tourism and the desert lion in Namibia last Saturday when the entire pride of Desert Lions as well as two Black-Backed Jackals were found dead in the Hoaruseb River after apparently being poisoned by strychnine. Maya, Morada and Tawny were the last in the pride after losing their male counterpart last year to trophy hunting.

Namibia will not assist in the arrests of Gaddafi or al-Bashir mainly on the basis that the African Union has decided to distance themselves from the warrants. Namibia is part of this organization and therefore cannot be expected to go against it’s decision. The Namibian Minister of Justice, Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana also feels that the International Criminal Court appears to have locked its’ radars on only African Leaders where other countries can do what they want and nothing is undertaken against them.