Have you ever swam with the dolphins? Have you been entertained by the amazing intelligence of a bottlenose dolphin at an aquarium show? These activities support the inhumane killing going on in Taiji, Japan.
Dolphins are chased into a cove by fishermen which is then netted off to prevent the dolphins from fleeing. Fisherman pick out "show quality" dolphins to sell to aquariums at up to $150,000 each. The dolphins that won't sell are herded deeper into the cove out of sight and slaughtered one after another turning the cove waters red with blood. The meat is sold for human consumption.
Ric O'Barry, Campaign Director for Save the Dolphins, has spent the last 38 years rallying agains this slaughter. Mr. O'Barry first recognized in the 1960s for capturing and training the five dolphins that were used in the well-known TV series Flipper. He made a radical transition from training dolphins in captivity to fighting against the captivity industry soon after Kathy, one of the Flipper dolphins, died. According to Mr. O'Barry, she died in his arms in what he believed was a suicide due to depression. Dolphins unlike humans have to consciously breath, she swam onto his arms and just sank, not trying to come up for air.
Mr. O'Barry was also involved in the full length documentary The Cove. This film released in 2009, centers on Taiji in Japan, bringing attention to the hunt of over 2,000 dolphins taking place there every year. Currently it is available for free on Netflix streaming.
Read more about Save the Dolphins and sign the petition. These intelligent marine mammals need your support.
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