Star backs bid to halt whaling

Ewan McGregor is calling for people to back a campaign to stop the hunting of whales in Norway.

Actor McGregor previously narrated Humpback Whales, an underwater 3D adventure documentary.

The film explores the lives of the 55-foot mammals, who were very nearly hunted to extinction and are in the midst of a slow recovery.

The American Pastoral actor took to Twitter to appeal for others to join him in opposing the hunt in Norwegian waters. “Whale hunting season in Norway starts in just days, but we can stop it and #savethewhales – add your name and RT,” he appealed.

The petition has already attracted more than 914,000 signatures. “As concerned global citizens we appeal to the Norwegian government to end the whale slaughter, and to all others to close your ports to Norwegian whale meat shipments. Your decision will set precedent that could save thousands of whales, and help stop whaling across Europe,” it states.

“Norway has managed to slip under the radar as the #1 whale slaughtering country. But if we now rally unprecedented global outrage, we can push Europe to close its ports to Norway’s whalers. We did it with Iceland – let’s do it again!”