IFAW-Produced Seal Documentary to Air on Discovery Channel

YARMOUTH PORT – A documentary produced by the International Fund for Animal Welfare on the 50 year hunt of seals in Canada debuts Thursday night on the Discovery Channel.

The feature is called “Huntwatch” and airs at 10 p.m.

The Yarmouth Port based animal welfare organization was founded in 1969 to stop the killing of seals and protect animals around the world.

“We are delighted that Discovery is bringing Huntwatch to the world,” said IFAW President and CEO Azzedine Downes. “Discovery’s commitment and courage to present the film is inspiring and we hope that the massive global Discovery audience will join us to help relegate the commercial seal hunt to where it belongs – in history books.”

“Like most people, I thought the horrendous practice of clubbing seals for fur ended a long time ago,” said John Hoffman, the Executive Vice President of Documentaries and Specials for the Discovery Channel. “By documenting these inhumane acts IFAW has created a valuable visual weapon to expose them.”

According to IFAW, the commercial seal hunt has declined in recent years. 35,000 seals were killed in 2015, down from a high of 350,000. The organization is calling on Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his government to end the practice and support alternative industries.

The film was narrated by actor Ryan Reynolds and was directed by Brant Backlund.