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Dolphin Slaughter in Taiji, Wakayama, Japan - Ric O'Berry and The Cove

I had no idea this was happening.  I had heard about the alleged abuse of the animals at sea aquariums and depending on who you believe, it may or may not be happening.  I thought that with all the laws in place protecting animals, cruel treatment couldn't be more than an isolated incident.  But, after seeing a clip and an interview about the herding and killing of dolphins in Japan, I am disturbed.

This evening I watched an interview of Ric O'Barry on the Fox Show, Huckabee.  Mr. O'Barry was a diver given the job of capturing and training the dolphins used in the filming of "Flipper", a TV show from the 1960s.  Of the five dolphins trained and filmed in the show, he became particularly attached to Kathy, the bottlenose dolphin  most often used.  He tells of Kathy dying in his arms, he believes, committing suicide.  The dolphins were kept in areas smaller than the law now allows and under stress, a dolphin has the ability to choose not to take its next breath.  The day after Kathy's death, Ric began his quest to free all dolphins in captivity.  That he did not do it within the confines of the law resulted in his arrest, but from that day on, he became an advocate for dolphins. 

Mr. O'Barry starred in the documentary "The Cove", which won that category at this year's Academy Awards on March 7th. 

The Cove was made to expose dolphin hunting and killing operations in Taiji, Wakayama, Japan.  Mr. O'Barry stresses he does not believe the majority of Japanese realize the killings are taking place and are honored that the dolphins swim along their coast.  He also believes that educating the Japanese (and all) public that their much desired dolphin meat is tainted with mercury is one way to put an end to the killings. 

In a cove, where people cannot see, this is what happens:

Several boats are stationed just outside the cove.  From each boat someone lowers a pole with a flange attached into the water.  Each pole is struck making a loud sound that upsets the dolphins.  The boats then herd the dolphins into the cove which is netted so they cannot escape.  Often dolphin trainers from anywhere on the globe are there to select which dolphin(s) they want to take to their country for entertainment purposes.  After those dolphins are captured, the rest are slaughtered with spears and knives for profit.  By the time the hunters are finished, the water is blood red.  My heart hurts learning this.

Below is a URL for a YouTube video.  Please realize this is very graphic and disturbing to watch.  Please do not watch with children present. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCx0ORuDZFE

» left by Marijo Phelps from mountain meadow (1 year 325 days ago.)

Yuck! This is not right. thanks for writing this piece to inform us.

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» left by Lorrie Davids⁽⁶⁵⁵⁾ (1 year 325 days ago.)

Thanks for reading and commenting, Marijo!  You are, indeed, an encourager! 

I didn't realize this was happening either...it is very sad. One of my favorite shows is Whale Wars...I think as much because it is an ocean show as anything.  I can't see risking people's lives for animals' as they do on that show, but, I also believe it is a crime to abuse them as the Japanese (and now we are finding others) do.

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