Apple Says NO to Bludgeoning Seals to Death, Launches Activist App Instead

In 2010, Apple blocked an app that let players beat, shoot and kill virtual seals, but saving “seals” is fair game. Today, Apple launched a free iPhone app called Seals Hero, which allows users to save seals from Canada’s annual slaughter, highlighting how younger generations look at seals as wonders of nature, without any desire to hunt them or beat them to death with a stick.

The gaming gurus at Australia-based Maiko Enterprises describe the app best:

Your mission is to save seals. You will control Cid, a smart, energetic, non-violent animal rights activist who uses speed and intelligence to race against the clock to save as many seals as he can while avoiding a number of obstacles. Seals Hero was created as a fun way to educate players about a serious issue and unite them worldwide against it.

Along the way, players learn how they can team up with PETA US to speak out against the slaughter, which has been in massive decline in recent years following seal import bans in the EU, Russia, the US and elsewhere.

iPhone users can download Seals Hero here – and everyone can become a real-life hero for seals by sending a message to the Canadian government: