250 Bottlenose Dolphins Captured, Prepared for Slaughter in Japan

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Hawaii Reporter
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https://www.seashepherd.org/cove-guardians/what-you-can-do.html
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https://www.seashepherd.org/cove-guardians/what-you-can-do.html

Tune in today at ~ 1 pm pt to watch the Sea Shepherd Cove Guardian live stream at: https://livestream.seashepherd.org.

TAIJI, Japan — Five separate pods of Bottlenose dolphins were driven into Taiji’s infamous killing cove yesterday and held overnight. This now massive pod of more than 250 dolphins includes babies and juveniles, including a rare albino calf who has been clinging as closely as possible to his or her mother in the stress and panic of the drive hunt.  If not killed, the albino will most certainly be taken as a novelty for Taiji’s local marine park attractions. In some cultures, it is taboo to capture or otherwise harm albino animals, as they are considered “spirit” animals and hunting them is thought to be bad luck.

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Today, the members of the pod will face a violent and stressful captive selection process. Babies and mothers will be torn from each other’s sides as some are taken for captivity, some are killed, and others are driven back out to sea to fend for themselves. Taiji dolphin killers and trainers work side-by-side to choose those deemed suitable for captivity – the “prettiest” dolphins without visible nicks or scars. Those taken captive are forced to watch as the remaining members of their family are brutally killed for human consumption. The dolphin meat is sold by the Taiji Fishermen’s Union despite the fact that it contains high levels of mercury and other harmful toxins. We anticipate going online from the Cove with our live stream today at ~ 1 pm PT as the captive selection and slaughter begin. Please spread the world by sharing our URL with your audience: https://livestream.seashepherd.org

Along with the 250+ Bottlenose driven into the cove yesterday, 3 captive Bottlenose were transferred from the Taiji harbor pens to the Hotel Dolphin Resort, and 4 Pantropical Spotted Dolphins were transferred via truck toward Osaka. The destination for the spotted dolphins is unknown at this time but Cove Guardians are following the truck as far as possible to try to determine the dolphins’ ultimate destination.

The new year has already been an extremely bloody and brutal one for the dolphins and small whales in Taiji. Approximately 176 have been slaughtered and 24 taken captive in just 9 days. This includes 4 different species of dolphins, just since the hunt resumed following the holiday break.

The drive hunt and slaughter of 20,000 dolphins, porpoises and small whales occurs throughout Japan each year. Japan refuses to sign on to many protection efforts and regulations for marine mammals, despite most of the world recognizing the need to protect these imperiled animals. The most well-known among these annual hunts occurs in Taiji from September 1st and usually continuing through March of the following year. Fishermen herd entire cetacean families into shallow bays where they are mercilessly stabbed with a metal spike inserted into their blowhole to sever their spine. The dolphins slowly bleed to death or drown in the blood of their family. These inhumane killings would not be allowed in any slaughterhouse in the world.

Taiji’s annual dolphin slaughter was virtually unknown until Sea Shepherd released covertly obtained footage and photographs taken at the Cove in 2003, followed by further international attention due to the Academy Award-winning film The Cove.

CALL TO ACTION: Join Sea Shepherd in speaking out for the largest Bottlenose pod ever driven into Taiji’s killing cove. Please find contact information for embassies and consulates and more information about What You Can Do here: https://www.seashepherd.org/cove-guardians/what-you-can-do.html

About Sea Shepherd Conservation Society USA: Founded by Captain Paul Watson, a world renowned, respected leader in environmental issues and co-founder of Greenpeace, Sea Shepherd Conservation Society (SSCS) USA is a non-profit conservation organization whose mission is to end the destruction of habitat and slaughter of wildlife in the world’s oceans in order to conserve and protect ecosystems and species. Established in 1977, Sea Shepherd uses innovative direct-action tactics to investigate, document, and take action when necessary to expose and confront illegal activities on the high seas. By safeguarding the biodiversity of our delicately balanced oceanic ecosystems, Sea Shepherd works to ensure their survival for future generations. Visit www.seashepherd.org for more information.

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26 COMMENTS

  2. […] 250 Bottlenose Dolphins Captured, Prepared for Slaughter in JapanHawaii ReporterTune in today at ~ 1 pm pt to watch the Sea Shepherd Cove Guardian live stream at: https://livestream.seashepherd.org. TAIJI, Japan — Five separate pods of Bottlenose dolphins were driven into Taiji's infamous killing cove yesterday and held overnight.250+ Bottlenose Dolphins Including Rare Albino Calf Captured in TaijiBeach Carolina Magazine250 Dolphins Face Slaughter in Japan Today, Including a Rare Albino – You …Seattle Post Intelligencer (blog)250 dolphins rounded up in Japan's Taiji coveThe GuardianGreenfudge.orgall 6 news articles […]

  3. Please stop the murder and captive trade in Taiji.

    Dear Ladies and Gentlemen & Honored dignitaries of Japan, I write to express extreme distress, anger and sadness at the annual dolphin and whale slaughter and capture still being carried out in the Japanese town of Taiji. These dolphin/whale drives are brutally cruel, completely unnecessary and have no place in the 21st century. Japan is an advanced and otherwise beautiful country. It has the history and the capability to become the world leaders in marine conservation. It is unfortunate that the reputation of an entire nation is being tarnished by the work of a handful of people. Dolphins/whales are not fish, they are mammals. Dolphins/whales breathe air. They have feelings. They have emotions. They have self-awareness. They are social, complex, intelligent beings. Even the nursing mothers and babies “iruka” are slaughtered with no mercy or they are stolen for a life of misery confined to small pools in aquariums. In the world of civilized nations, no wild animals are being eradicated like the dolphins/whales are being slaughtered in Japan. I understand that cultural food issues are complex, some people eat cows, pigs, chickens, some eat bunnies, dogs and cats, insects, etc. Yet the number of people who enjoy eating dolphin/whale meat is dwindling, especially as people become aware of the issues of mercury toxicity. The Japanese Government has the power to stop the hunts and I humbly ask you to appeal your representatives and work towards a move to end the annual slaughter. Taiji could be a mecca for tourism if the dolphin/whale slaughter stops. Dolphin and whale watching tours prove to be lucrative tourism activities elsewhere. Hopefully the thirteen fishing boats could replace their banging pipes and spears with binoculars, cameras, and other souvenirs of a joyous experience on your shores. The Internet and Social Media has created a deep awareness across the globe. There is a deepening appreciation for the sentience and wonder that these beautiful animals possess, their rich family and social life, the trusting and helpful interaction with humans, and their rightful place in the oceans. There is nothing that will hold back this exponentially growing movement From around the world, we work diligently against the taking of migrating dolphins/whales that pass by Japan. They are not yours to take. They are not yours to kill. They are not yours to take captive. They are not yours to sell. Whether it is mercury-laden meat from the slaughter of precious dolphins/whales, or the condemnation of a miserable life in captivity, we will NEVER give up until this brutal practice ceases forever. We will not go away. We will never be silent.
    イルカを自由に暮らさせてあげてください。 お願いします。

  6. Thank You and Many Mahalos for writing and sharing this horrible information. I am appalled, mad and shocked by the Government and the People of Japan. They are hurting the entire planet. Please DO SOMETHING. Do not accept and allow Japan to keep killing and capturing whales and dolphins. Do Not Buy A Ticket to any Dolphin Park or Dolphin Hotel, Dolphin Quest. If you do you are fully supporting the bloodbath at Taiji Japan. Do Not Take your children or grandchildren to any dolphin parks. Do not be silent. Support Sea Shepherd Cove Guardians, they need all the help they can get. Never Give Up. Defend Conserve Protect. Watch the Cove and watch Blackfish The Movie.
    STOP TAIJI KILLING STOP DOLPHIN SWIM PARKS NO TICKET NO COMPROMISE

  8. After the Japs kill all the dolphins in the ocean hopefully they will start killing themselves, if the high levels of mercury and other harmful toxins don't get them first.

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