In Canada, animal rights activists have staged protests against the country’s annual seal hunt. The Guardian is reporting an estimated 320,000 seals will be killed this year in the largest hunt in more than 50 years. The seals are usually shot to dead or killed with clubs. They are then skinned to provide coats, hats, handbags and other accessories for the European fashion trade. Animal rights activists claim the pups are often skinned alive, but sealers and government officials insist the pups die instantly in compliance with strict guidelines.