"One day I was chased down a desert road – I've never been so scared in all my life!"
baby seals clubbed to death in front of their mothers. Our trip was filmed and will hopefully be commissioned at some stage soon." Namibia authorises the culling of 85-90,000 seal pups and 6,000 adult bulls along its desert coastline annually. The seals are killed for their thick layers of blubber, which is used for oils, low grade margarine, Omega 3 capsules and fur used in 'fashion' items. The adult bulls are killed and their penises are severed and dried and used to manufacture aphrodisiacs, which are marketed in the Far East with claims of increasing sexual potency for men." The Namibian Government's intelligence caught wind of the group's intentions and shut down all filming in the country. Kerry spent the three most dangerous and difficult weeks of her life avoiding authorities in her efforts to protect these seals. "I went with a film crew and some journalists and we smuggled ourselves through borders into Namibia. You're so worried you'll be caught by the police or army. We had to pretend we were tourists. But they were on to us. One day I was chased down a desert road – I've never been so scared in all my life!" Kerry now lives in Red Beach with her three teenagers and her activism, medium work and writing keep her very busy. Kerry is at present writing a book on her life and activism, detailing a documentary being made by ProjectEarth.Org and Sky TV that profiles people from around the world (including two other New Zealanders) who are doing great things for animals. Nakita Ardern www.kerryobrien.co.nz
HER MAGAZINE | February/March 2012 | 89
