"We consider it necessary," a ministry spokeswoman told AFP when asked about a possible ban. "It is not allowed in any other country."

"A document is being prepared" on the matter, the spokeswoman said, but would not give any more details.

Last month, Russian celebrities and environmental activists held a rally against the practice on the shore of Russia's northern White Sea, where most of the hunting takes place in March and April. The seals are killed for their fur, fat and meat.

Some 335,000 people recently signed a petition calling for a ban, the spokeswoman said.

Russian television last month showed footage of men walking with ice-picks during a hunt, hitting one baby seal after another as the snow turned red with blood.

Russian daily newspaper Komsomolskaya Pravda on Monday reported that soft-spoken president-elect Dmitry Medvedev was behind the ministry's move, but the spokeswoman said she knew nothing of his involvement.

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