IFAW (the International Fund for Animal Welfare) threatens to protest against the Namibian seal harvest in conjunction with the final of the Miss Universe contest to be held in Namibia on May 13, reports the South African media. IFAW wishes to take this opportunity , when the eyes of the world are turned towards Namibia, to direct attention towards the seal harvest. IFAW’s representative in South Africa states that he believes that the 80 Miss Universe candidates are not aware of the cruel seal culling - and if they were, that they might not have taken part in the contest. He has written a letter to the Namibian foreign minister, Mr. Gurirab, asking for a meeting.

At an IFAW meeting in London this April, it was decided to step up the campaign to stop the Namibian seal harvest. IFAW has previously threatened to lobby the EU towards stopping their development aid schemes in Namibia.