In this sense there are no "animals" in the .kingdom of animated nature, except 

 the men who think and behave toward other creatures in so callous a manner. 

 The plea I am making is not only for all other animals, and for seals in particu- 

 lar, but also for all human beings. 



Now if I may, Mr. Chairman, I will read the statement from the 

 World Federation for the Protection of Animals which is the largest 

 international organization : 



In an age when even human life is not universally re.si)ecte<I. it may seem odd 

 to some i^eople to testify to the need to promote resi>ect for non-human animals. 

 However, in adding its support to this bill WFPA is expressing the will of 270 

 member societies in nearly 60 nations. 



The variety of wild animals which earlier generations took for granted will 

 cease to exist in a short time if many species are not given wide protection 

 from commercial and sports exploitation. The multiple pressures on animals, 

 and their habitats, exerted by our technological and numerically exploding so- 

 ciety cannot suddenly be stopped. While environmental scientists strive to modify 

 and reduce the pressures, there is an imperative need to halt wanton and inten- 

 tional destruction. 



Our American member societies will be reminding you of the nature of these 

 pressures, and offering evidence of the mindless ways in which the animals un- 

 der consideration are abused. It is not our present purpose to repeat facts which 

 are mostly available to you at first-hand. 



Our intention is to underline the philosophy which lies at the root of this 

 bill, and which is exactly in tune with the feelings of men of diverse cultures at 

 this time. Although conservation is an obvious factor in the bill, the issues at 

 stake are of infinitely greater import than the casual observer might realize. 



Beneath the widespread public outcries which increasingly attend the need- 

 less and selfish killing of wild animals there is a "precious thread of sentiment." 

 Sentiment is a word often dismissed as being worthless and irrational, but it 

 is also the one expression of sensitivity which separates men from the absurd 

 rationality of robots. A race of men which is devoid of sentiment for non-human 

 animals is capable of destroying the world and all that lives here, without 

 regret. 



The freedom to kill "wild animals," which are seemingly the property of no 

 man, and yet the responsibility of all, is not an "inalienable right of man." 

 This precept has been qualified to the extent that the killing shall be done in 

 a manner which minimizes the degree of distress. 



It will be made clear that ocean mammals are not being slaughtered in ways 

 which cause the "least possible distress." It will become equally clear, in the 

 light of evidence from others, that in this age, practically no men need to kill 

 the ocean mammals for their survival or their sustenance. Because these two 

 criteria are not being met voluntarily, the Harris-Pryor bill has become es- 

 sential to give legal substance to the moral indignation of all sensitive adults 

 and young people. 



Some bills are too far ahead of their times and are rejected, until public 

 opinion and science can make them seem "irresistible." Other bills, of which 

 the Harris-Pryor bill is an example, may seem to be ahead of their time, but 

 they concern events moving so rapidly as to deny the opportunity for more "lei- 

 surely consideration" at a later date. 



There is a tide in the affairs of men, and as far as our relationship with wild 

 animals is concerned, the flood is upon us. If this opportunity to exert a leader- 

 ship over the minds and aspirations of men in America, and far beyond is missed, 

 the initiative will either pass into other hands or the chance be lost forever. 



In 1966 the Soviet Minister of Fisheries, Alexander Ishkov, made the follow- 

 ing statement, reported in Pravda. 



"The capture of dolphins is henceforth prohibited on the territories of the 

 Soviet Union — I believe it will be possible to preserve the dolphins — ^their 

 capture should be stopped in all the oceans of the world." 



So far, this appeal has fallen on stony ground and no government has given 

 an lanswering caU. The Harris-Pryor bill is the first response to be put before 

 any of the world's legislatures. It is a very able respon.se and worthy of a 

 major ix)wer, for the bill provides for the protection of seals, \^hales, walruses, 

 manatees, sea-cows, sea otters, sealions, polar bears land porpoises in addition 

 to dolphins. The degree of protection required by this bill is equally audacious, 

 because, although the measures will apply in the first instance to people, ships 



