EON

Canadian-born actress and animal rights activist Pamela Anderson was in Ontario recently to help launch a new advertising campaign to pressure the Canadian government to end the annual Harp seal hunt, which takes place on the country’s eastern coast every spring.

The former “Baywatch” star is supporting the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals in their campaign to end the hunt, which involves the slaughter of over 300,000 baby Harp seals. She is one of many celebrities that are using their stardom to bring attention to the yearly event. PETA’s goal is to focus attention on the hunt year-round, instead of only from November to May, when many supporters take to the ice in protest.

Animal rights organizations such as PETA have labeled the hunt as not only cruel, but useless, and claim it does not have any real economic benefit for seal hunters and their families. The hunters and Canadian authorities contend that it is done humanely, and provides income for those living in the indigenous Inuit communities surrounding the Gulf of St. Lawrence.

Anderson, who was in Toronto for Fashion Week, made an appearance at the Ontario provincial legislature for a photo op to introduce the ads. The campaign will include Anderson and other celebrities such as fellow Canadian Sarah McLachlan, and Jennie Garth of “Beverly Hills, 90210″ wearing PETA’s “Save the Seals” T-shirts. The ads will appear in entertainment magazines and blogs beginning this fall.