Bears Are Dying, So PETA Holds a ‘Die-In’
In today’s busy world, it can be hard to grab public attention – that’s why, sometimes, we have to do extraordinary things to get people to take notice. More than a dozen PETA supporters bared their skin and held a “die-in” by London’s iconic Marble Arch to bring attention to the fact that bears are still dying for the bearskin caps worn by the Queen’s Guard. The protesters are calling on the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to stop funding the cruel killing of bears for ceremonial headwear and switch to faux fur instead.
Bear Fur Is a Product of Trophy Hunting
The Canadian bears are hunted, and their fur is sold to make ceremonial caps. Many are shot several times, and some escape and die slowly from dehydration, starvation, gangrene, or blood loss.
Although the MoD frequently makes the claim that the bear pelts are the by-product of a “cull” overseen by Canadian authorities, no such “cull” exists, as confirmed to PETA by both the federal and provincial Canadian governments. Instead, the Canadian government issues “tags” to hunting enthusiasts, who kill bears for “sport” or for “trophies”. These hunters are then free to bait and kill an allotted number of bears and sell their pelts for profit.
There IS an Animal-Friendly Cap Available
PETA and top faux furrier ECOPEL have created a faux bearskin that doesn’t harm a hair on an animal’s body. The humane fabric gives a nod to tradition while sparing sensitive bears who are viciously slaughtered for their fur. The high-performing faux bear fur is also more eco-friendly. Real fur must be treated with toxic chemicals to prevent it from decomposing – in this case, on the guards’ heads. ECOPEL’s faux fur is produced in closed-loop factories, which means all water and chemicals used in the production of the faux fur are recycled. Now that an animal-friendly replacement exists, the MoD must use it.
Stop Spending Our Taxes on Slaughter
Over £1 million of taxpayer money has been spent on 891 bearskin caps over the past seven years. Even though ECOPEL has offered to provide the MoD with faux bear fur free of charge until 2030, the ministry is using taxpayer funds to pay for caps made from the pelts of slaughtered bears. It takes the hide of one bear to make a single cap. Headpieces made from the fur of slaughtered bears are a dishonour to our country.
What Can You Do?
A government petition on the issue has been launched. When it reaches 100,000 signatures, a much-needed parliamentary debate about the bearskin hats will take place.
Take these three simple steps to help end the slaughter of bears for the Queen’s Guard’s caps:
STEP 1: Sign the government petition.
STEP 2: Ask your MP to stand up for bears.
STEP 3: Take to social media.
Please tweet at the prime minister and the MoD and comment on the MoD’s Instagram and Facebook pages.
Struggling with writer’s block? Try something like this:
Hey @BorisJohnson, @PETAUK has provided the MOD with a faux bear fur that is suitable for use on the Queen’s Guard’s caps. Help stop the senseless slaughter of bears & quick march the new faux bearskin into service. #MoDGoFurFree
