What do John Wayne Bobbitt and Seals Have in Common?

This is the medical photograph of John Wayne Bobbitt's severed penis. Probably the most famous penis in the world, thanks to the press attention it received at the time. Of slightly less interest to the world's press however are the 10,000 or so seals that are slaughtered each year by Canadian fishermen for this particular part of their anatomy. The Canadians cynically exploit an ancient Chinese belief that seal penises are an aphrodisiac. Apparently it's a rather lucrative market. Which is why we're urging people to write to, or phone, their local supermarket asking them not to stock Canadian fish products. And hit Canadian fishermen where it hurts.
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IFAW - The International Fund for Animal Welfare.

(From an advert in The New Statesman, September 1, 1995)

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