The newborn pups of the Harp seal are ideally adapted to their environment: in their white fur they are hardly visible to their potential predators on the pack ice on which they are born. In order to save energy, most pups remain almost motionless on the ice for their first few days. They keep their body temperature regulated with the help of their highly isolating white pelt, giving them the nickname "whitecoats". - The white fur is also the reason the animals have attained sad fame: They were hunted and clubbed to death for their coats. These pictures have gone around the world and stirred international protest. Meanwhile, whitecoat hunting has been officially banned.
