Animal rights organisation PETA have announced plans to stage an in-game protest in World of Warcraft, angered as they are by the practice of virtual seal clubbing in the Howling Fjord area.

The activists are said to be upset by the inclusion of seal clubbing, albeit of the virtual variety, and will challenge those attacking the seals for fur to PvP battles; protecting the polygon-based creatures in the process.

PETA apparently wanted this element of WoW to be banned, but failing this, they have instead opted to the mount a protest to disrupt activities.

The battle will apparently take place this Saturday at 1pm EST.

"You must be in the WhisperWind realm in order to fight. Visit WorldofWarcraft.com if you need information about how to switch into this realm," reads word to protesters.

"Once in the WhisperWind realm, go to Northrend, where you will find a zone called Howling Fjord, where the baby seals live on glaciers and boats float in the fjords. This will be the battleground to stop the slaughter (Note: You must be at least a Level 70 player in order to enter Howling Fjord)."

By Luke Guttridge