Key Takeaways
- Brigitte Bardot, a French actor and animal rights activist, passed away at the age of 91
- Bardot was a vocal opponent of Canada’s seal hunt and travelled to Newfoundland in 1977 to witness it firsthand
- Her protest led to a significant reduction in the cost of seal pelts, affecting the livelihoods of people in fishing communities
- Bardot also advocated for the protection of other Canadian animals, including deer in a Montreal suburb
- The Brigitte Bardot Foundation, created in 1986, continues to fight for animal protection and an end to practices such as animal testing and bullfighting
Introduction to Brigitte Bardot’s Activism
Brigitte Bardot, a renowned French actor, and animal rights activist, passed away on Sunday at the age of 91. Bardot was not only a celebrated screen siren of the 20th century, but she was also a dedicated advocate for animal welfare. One of her most notable campaigns was against Canada’s seal hunt, which she first spoke out against in 1976. Bardot’s determination to raise awareness about the issue led her to travel to Newfoundland in 1977, where she witnessed the hunt firsthand. When asked by reporters about her plans for the trip, Bardot simply replied, "to save baby seals, that’s all." Her efforts ultimately led to a significant reduction in the cost of seal pelts, which had a profound impact on the livelihoods of people in fishing communities in Atlantic Canada and the Arctic.
Bardot’s Protest and Its Impact
During her trip to Newfoundland, Bardot was photographed holding a baby harp seal, known as a whitecoat, which helped to draw international attention to the issue. The CBC reported that her protest caused a major reduction in the cost of seal pelts, affecting the livelihoods of people in fishing communities in Atlantic Canada and the Arctic. In 2006, Bardot returned to Canada to protest the commercial harp seal hunt, and she had hoped to meet with then-prime minister Stephen Harper. Although the Conservative government declined a meeting, Bardot continued to plead her case, stating that she wanted to see the "barbaric massacre" stop before she died. Her dedication to the cause was unwavering, and her foundation, the Brigitte Bardot Foundation, continues to fight for animal protection to this day.
Bardot’s Advocacy for Other Canadian Animals
Bardot’s advocacy for animal welfare was not limited to seals. In 2022, she condemned a Montreal suburb’s plan to kill most of the deer living in a local park. Bardot published a letter on her foundation’s website, asking the mayor of Longueuil, Que., to stop what she described as the "planned crossbow slaughter" in Michel-Chartrand park. Although her efforts were ultimately unsuccessful, and 105 deer were killed in the operation, Bardot’s commitment to protecting animals was evident. The city claimed that the operation was necessary to restore the ecological balance in the park, but Bardot’s letter highlighted the brutality of the method, stating that teams of hunters armed with crossbows would "invade a usually peaceful place, popular with families and tourists, and sow death in the heart of your city."
Government Regulations and Celebrity Support
The Fisheries and Oceans Canada website states that the government monitors the seal harvest closely and has implemented regulations to ensure that the hunt is conducted humanely. The website notes that changes to Marine Mammal Regulations in 2009 "further enhance the humaneness of the annual seal harvest" and include a three-step process to ensure that animals are harvested quickly and humanely. Additionally, the website states that only seals that have reached the age of self-sufficiency can be harvested, and that the harvesting of harp seal pups and hooded seal pups is illegal in Canada. Other celebrities, including Pamela Anderson, Paul McCartney, and Sarah McLachlan, have also spoken out against Canada’s seal hunt, highlighting the ongoing controversy surrounding the issue.
The Brigitte Bardot Foundation and Its Mission
The Brigitte Bardot Foundation, created in 1986, is dedicated to animal protection and advocates for the end of practices such as animal shows, animal testing, and bullfighting. The foundation’s website features information about Bardot’s work to fight the seal hunt and includes a photo of her with a baby seal on its home page. In September 2024, the foundation posted an update stating that Bardot continued her fight for seals, even as she turned 90. The foundation’s mission is a testament to Bardot’s enduring legacy as a champion of animal welfare, and her work will continue to inspire others to advocate for the protection of animals.
Recent Developments and Ongoing Advocacy
Recently, the European Union launched a review of its ban on importing seal products, which has been in place since 2009. A group of Canadian senators from Yukon, British Columbia, and Newfoundland and Labrador called for Europe to repeal its seal products ban, arguing that the socio-economic impacts of the ban have been disastrous for communities along Canada’s East Coast and in Nunavut. However, the Brigitte Bardot Foundation has urged the European Commission to focus on improving animal protection rather than reversing measures. Bardot’s legacy as a fierce advocate for animal welfare continues to inspire others to take action, and her foundation remains committed to fighting for the protection of animals around the world.