Page 21 - World of Animals - Issue #28 Magazine

Nearest

Harping on neighbours
The name ‘harp’ comes A harp seal’s landscape is full of
from the characteristic harp- predators, on the hunt both on
shaped patch of fur that spans the ice and beneath the waves
the shoulders, stretching across
the back and down toward the
abdominal region, where it
continues to the posterior

flippers. This pattern is
most distinctive on
adult males.

Polar bear
Harp seals are not the polar bear’s

first choice of seal. They usually prefer
ringed and bearded seals, but have
no problem feasting on a harp seal if
these aren’t available.

Orca
Orcas are one of the harp seals’ main
predators; however, it takes cunning
to prey upon something as quick and
agile as a harp seal. Orcas have been
observed ganging up on the seals and
working in unison to take them down.

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A coveted coat
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A quick search on the Internet for ‘harp
seals and humans’, will tell you everything
you need to know about the relationship we
have with these intelligent creatures. Sadly,
almost every page is awash with stories
of hunting and sealing. The main attraction Arctic fox
for the hunting industry is the snowy white Hard to spot due to their thick white
pelts of the harp seal pups, an attraction fur, these foxes have the warmest pelt
that has led to more than one million of any Arctic animal and can endure
deaths in the past five years. The number of temperatures as low as -50 degrees

Celsius (-58 degrees Fahrenheit). They
seals killed each year is usually forecasted are known to prey on harp seal pups.
and regulated through the use of quotas.
However, it’s estimated that many catches
go unreported.
The fur is generally used for coat
making, while the meat is used as an
important source of protein for the
inhabitants of small coastal communities.
The blubber is broken down and used to
make seal oil, which is then used as a fish

oil supplement. The skin is also used in the © Thinkstock; The Art Agency/Peter Scott; Nature PL; Getty; Alamy
fashion industry and tailored to make warm
garments for colder climes. The act of harp Walrus
One of the largest pinnipeds, these
seal hunting has gathered much debate and ocean giants can dive for 30 minutes
attention among conservationists about the before needing to surface. They will
appropriate course of action to safeguard consume seal carcasses if necessary
the species for the future. and there is some evidence that large
males will feed on live seals.
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