Red Cove: Days 23, 20 & 19...
People know I hate dolphins in captivity, it’s nuts, and people have asked me not to perform there,” ~ Joe Rogan * Source: Las Vegas Review-Journal, September 14, 2015
Last year, musicians including Willie Nelson, Heart and the Barenaked Ladies withdrew their participation from SeaWorld’s music series.
Joe Rogan isn’t the first entertainer to refuse to do business with The Mirage. Matt Sorum, Guns N’ Roses drummer and Dolphin Project Ambassador had this to say about why he chose not to hold his wedding at the venue:
“I was offered to do my wedding with my wife, Ace, at The Mirage three years ago, but turned them down due to the suffering of the dolphins kept there. To think about these magical creatures in the middle of the desert forced to perform and swim with humans for entertainment…It didn’t feel like a place we wanted to celebrate our most special day. The Mirage needs to close this dolphin abusement facility immediately. The desert and/or a swimming pool is no place for dolphins. Please boycott The Mirage Hotel.”
According to the Free The Mojave Dolphins Campaign, comedian Nick Swardson, who is scheduled to perform October 9, has agreed to look into the effects of dolphin captivity at The Mirage.
In the 'Night At The Museum, The Secret Of The Tomb' film that came out this year, Ben Stiller's character gives a mention to everyone about the slaughtering of Dolphins in Taji, Japan's cove area.
Take The Pledge To NOT Buy A Ticket To A Dolphin Show:
 Blue Cove: Days 25, 24, 22, 21... |
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As Taiji’s Cove Season Begins, Dolphin Trainers Get Flack for Their Role in This Cruel ‘Tradition’
Every year between September and March, boats of hunters leave the tiny coastal fishing town of Taiji, Japan. They return chasing terrified pods of dolphins into a tiny inlet known as “the cove.” These hunts have been mis-labelled as a Taiji “tradition,” when in fact, large-scale dolphin hunts only began in 1969 (the first recorded drive took place in 1933). As marine parks have grown in popularity, trapping dolphins for captivity has become a mutli-million dollar industry with growing demand. Dolphin trainers from around the world arrive in Taiji after the hunts to select the prettiest dolphins for sale to aquariums – where they live out the rest of their lives in tiny, chlorinated tanks.
A few days ago, the world looked on in horror as the first pod of the 2015-2016 season was captured. Shocking footage emerged of a family of Risso’s dolphins being tortured and killed. One terrified dolphin even threw itself onto the rocks in a desperate attempt to escape, only to die from severe injuries.
While these tragic scenes have been witnessed before, the aquarium trade’s unrelenting demand for live dolphins continues to drive the unthinkably cruel hunts.
A trained dolphin can fetch upwards of $100,000, and the live dolphin trade in Taiji brings in more than $5 million every year. In comparison, the dead carcass of a dolphin sold to a butcher is worth just $500 – clearly a by-product of the much more lucrative aquarium trade.
While the majority of dolphins captured in Taiji are sold to aquariums in China and Japan, more than 100 marine parks around the world in countries including Egypt, Russia, Korea, Mexico, Turkey and the Ukraine all have dolphins captured in the hunts. These marine parks employ dolphin trainers to do the dirty selection work for them.
They pay trainers to enter the cove and choose which dolphins will live and die – literally tearing mothers away from their babies to ship them around the world.
Many of the trainers in the water, deciding the fate of these animals, are members of IMATA (the International Marine Animal Trainers’ Association). IMATA is considered the world’s peak membership body for marine trainers. Its membership is made up of dolphin trainers from all around the world, and its board includes people from some of the most recognizable marine parks on the planet, including SeaWorld.
Concerns With IMATA
IMATA claims its mission is to advance “the most professional, effective, and humane care of marine animals in all habitats.” But what its trainers get up to in Taiji is shocking.
According to the CEO of Australia for Dolphins, Sarah Lucas, “When I visited Taiji I saw dolphin trainers standing in the cove laughing, as wounded dolphins drowned right next to them. These are Taiji’s faceless middlemen. And they are getting away with horrific animal abuse.”
Despite the horrific scenes of animal abuse and torture that occur in Taiji, IMATA continues to support its trainers’ involvement in the hunts, saying “Any individual who believes in IMATA’s mission and who supports its goals is welcomed into the membership. This includes extending membership to individuals who work for organizations that acquire dolphins from a drive fishery.
IMATA’s weak justification for condoning animal cruelty has long been the subject of criticism, but things are really starting to heat up for the world’s peak marine animal trainer organization in the lead up to it’s annual conference in the Bahamas on the September 27. Dolphin trainers from all around the world will gather in the same room at the conference, providing the perfect opportunity for IMATA to change its policy and stop its trainers playing with the lives of Taiji dolphins.
In the last 24 hours alone, more than 1,000 comments have been left on IMATA’s Facebook page by concerned animal lovers from all over the world, asking them to stop their trainers participating in the terrible hunts. The hashtag #shameIMATA is also taking off on Twitter, with hundreds of people tweeting their disgust at the organization:
IMATA trainers under fire for involvement in Taiji dolphin hunts
IMATA trainers under fire for involvement in Taiji dolphin hunts
The brutal dolphin hunts in Japan exist for one reason – because the aquarium trade for live dolphins is big business. In order to break the cruel cycle of captivity and make serious strides towards ending the Taiji hunts, IMATA needs to take its trainers out of the water.
According to Sarah Lucas, “IMATA says it ‘respects animals,’ but its trainers are doing the exact opposite. They are the ones actually in the cove, alongside the hunters, traumatizing defenseless dolphins. It’s an absolute disgrace. No animal deserves to be ripped away from its family and home to spend life in a miserable chlorinated tank. And no baby dolphin deserves to be left behind, injured and alone, to slowly starve to death.”
Taking Action for Dolphins
Lucas believes if people take to social media in protest, their voices will be heard. “We’ve seen how powerful this approach can be with the recent win against the world’s peak zoo body – which stopped Japanese aquariums buying Taiji dolphins,” she says, “To add to that, more than 150,000 caring people have signed a petition to stop the Taiji bloodbath this season, and a number of prominent celebrities including Harry Styles and Isabel Lucas have recently voiced their concerns over the hunts.”
There are several simple actions people can take to help put pressure on IMATA, and make sure it stops its trainers participating in the brutal capture of wild dolphins. If you want to make a difference, go to IMATA’s Facebook page and write a polite but firm message telling them to get their trainers hands off Taiji dolphins. You can also take to Twitter with the hashtag #ShameIMATA to share your demands, or send a message directly to the president at President@IMATA.org.
Lead image source: Trisha Fawver/Flickr
People know I hate dolphins in captivity, it’s nuts, and people have asked me not to perform there,” ~ Joe Rogan * Source: Las Vegas Review-Journal, September 14, 2015
Last year, musicians including Willie Nelson, Heart and the Barenaked Ladies withdrew their participation from SeaWorld’s music series.
Joe Rogan isn’t the first entertainer to refuse to do business with The Mirage. Matt Sorum, Guns N’ Roses drummer and Dolphin Project Ambassador had this to say about why he chose not to hold his wedding at the venue:
“I was offered to do my wedding with my wife, Ace, at The Mirage three years ago, but turned them down due to the suffering of the dolphins kept there. To think about these magical creatures in the middle of the desert forced to perform and swim with humans for entertainment…It didn’t feel like a place we wanted to celebrate our most special day. The Mirage needs to close this dolphin abusement facility immediately. The desert and/or a swimming pool is no place for dolphins. Please boycott The Mirage Hotel.”
According to the Free The Mojave Dolphins Campaign, comedian Nick Swardson, who is scheduled to perform October 9, has agreed to look into the effects of dolphin captivity at The Mirage.
In the 'Night At The Museum, The Secret Of The Tomb' film that came out this year, Ben Stiller's character gives a mention to everyone about the slaughtering of Dolphins in Taji, Japan's cove area.
Take The Pledge To NOT Buy A Ticket To A Dolphin Show:
4 Badass People Who Are Changing the Way We View Marine Captivity. For years, SeaWorld has manipulated scientific information to influence the public’s perception of marine mammal captivity, and for years, a silent war has been waging against SeaWorld by scientists and activists alike.
In 2009, the documentary The Cove brought attention to the plight of marine mammals being captured and sold to marine parks all over the world. This singular film was incredibly successful and garnered worldwide attention for the issue of marine captivity. While SeaWorld wasn’t particularly targeted in the film (SeaWorld parks have not ,at least, not to the public’s knowledge, imported wild animals since the Marine Mammal Protection Act was enacted in 1972.), the growing popularity of the topic started a ripple effect against keeping cetaceans in tanks that would only grow with the release of Blackfish in 2013.
The documentary focused on the death of senior SeaWorld trainer Dawn Brancheau, who lost her life after being pulled into a pool by an orca in 2010. This particularly tragic story inspired Gabriela Cowperthwaite, a filmmaker, to question why it happened and delve into the history of marine parks looking for answers. Like The Cove, Blackfish brought global attention to the issue and gave an incredibly public forum for scientists and activists that had been working for years to end marine mammal captivity to share their knowledge on the detriments of marine captivity.
These films helped raise public awareness for the issue, but it is the ongoing work by activists and marine animal advocates that is now driving us towards a future where marine parks will be a thing of the past. By galvanizing the public and empowering people with the tools and knowledge they need to make a difference, these awesome game-changers are picking up where documentaries end and bringing the fight to the real world.
These four individuals are just a few of many, but their unique and powerful bodies of work are beyond inspiring. If you are in need of a little – or a lot of – inspiration, check out these four marine animal heroes.
Former dolphin trainer Ric O’Barry worked for the Miami Seaquarium on the TV series Flipper in the 1960s. Responsible for capturing and training the dolphins, amongst other marine mammals, it was the sudden death of one of his beloved dolphins, Kathy, that sent Ric on a drastically different path.
Ric spent 10 years working in the industry and has spent the latter half of his life fighting to end it. An activist and author, he founded the Dolphin Project in 1970 and was featured in the Academy Award-winning documentary The Cove. Currently in Taiji for the annual dolphin drives, Ric continues to fight for the welfare of all marine mammals, wild and captive.
2. Dr. Ingrid Visser
Dr. Ingrid Visser has been studying wild orca populations officially for more than two decades, and even longer prior to the founding of her non-profit, the Orca Research Trust, in New Zealand.
After the release of Blackfish, SeaWorld attained Dr. Visser’s research of dorsal fin collapse and falsely cited it on their website as proof that dorsal collapse was a phenomenon found in captive and wild whales. This, of course, couldn’t be further from the truth. In the past, SeaWorld has successfully avoided being challenged when they manipulate and publicize scientific data, but Ingrid continues to challenge SeaWorld requesting that they retract their statements.
3. Dr. Naomi Rose
Dr. Rose worked for the Humane Society International as their Senior Scientist for more than 20 years, and for the Animal Welfare Institute. Her experience studying the social dynamics of male killer whales and working to address the issues involved in keeping marine mammals in captivity has made her one of the most vocal scientists (and activists) we know today.
Dr. Rose fought for AB-2140, the Orca Welfare and Safety Act, last year in California and continues to travel and voice her opposition to marine mammal captivity.
4. John Hargrove
Recently the victim of SeaWorld’s tragic PR team, John Hargrove is a former senior trainer who began working for SeaWorld in 1993. John left SeaWorld in 2012, following one too many injuries and tragic deaths that left him questioning holding marine mammals in captivity.
His book, Beneath the Surface, chronicles his time at SeaWorld and the disturbing practices he participated in and, at the time, supported. Prior to the release of his book, lawyers for SeaWorld issued a letter to John warning him against disclosing confidential information. We can’t imagine why SeaWorld would be concerned that a former trainer would write a tell-all book if they assert all of the information provided is false. Thankfully, John trusted his instincts and went ahead with the release anyway.
These amazing individuals are only four among many who are fighting for the rights of captive cetaceans. Given all that we know about the intelligence and social capacities of these animals, it is only a matter of time before all that this knowledge is reflected in how we treat marine animals.
These four individuals have helped to start the wave of awareness against marine captivity, but it is up to all of us to keep the ripples going. The best way that you can act for marine animals is to refuse to pay to see them in marine parks or zoos. No animal deserves to suffer for the sake of our entertainment. Lead image source: Abi Skipp/Flickr. Academy Award-winning film.
You may have heard the terrible news: the dolphin hunts have started again in
Taiji. Last week the world watched on in horror as the first pod of dolphins, a
family of Risso's, were chased into the cove and killed.
This weekend the horror reached crescendo as up to 80 innocent dolphins were
trapped, exhausted and starving for two whole days. Dolphin trainers entered the
cove and cruelly tore 46-50 terrified dolphins out of the wild for life in tiny,
chlorinated tanks.
No doubt many of the trainers involved in this horrific capture were from
IMATA – the world’s peak animal trainers’ association. It's a stark reminder of
the appalling role dolphin trainers play in sustaining these brutal hunts -
which is why AFD needs your help to
target the peak organisation for marine animal trainers, in an effort to get
their hands off Taiji dolphins.
While this abuse was absolutely heartbreaking to watch, it has not broken my
resolve. Thanks to incredible dolphin advocates like you, there is still so much
room for hope!
Instead of getting down, AFD has been taking action. This month we have:
- Collected more than 150,000 signatures calling on the Governor of Wakayama to #StopTheBloodbath and cancel the dolphin hunting permit in Taiji
- Taken on IMATA, the world's peak marine animal trainers' association with shocking links to Taiji
- Pushed to make dolphin captivity a political priority in NSW Parliament
- Opened an online store, where every dollar raised helps defend dolphins from cruelty
- Promoted dolphin conservation with numerous media articles and a TV special, and
- Put together a panel of experts to promote dolphin protection on Japan Dolphins Day.
As you can see, we're doubling our efforts and making steady progress in the
battle to protect dolphins from suffering. Why not take a minute to read about
some of the ways you can lend your voice, and take meaningful action to help
dolphins and whales?
| Join the movement, #StopTheBloodbath | ||||
In the last few weeks more than 150,000 caring people have
signed the petition to Stop the Bloodbath in Taiji.
Sadly, the Governor of Wakayama chose to ignore pleas for mercy when he gave these cruel hunts the go-ahead, giving way for the brutal scenes of dolphin torture we saw over the weekend. As this is a matter of urgency, knowing the lives of dolphins hang in the balance every single day, AFD is constantly updating the governor with new signatures demanding he cancel the dolphin hunting permit in Taiji immediately. Which is why it is so important to keep up the momentum! Please, click here to share the global petition with your Facebook friends, so they can tell the Governor of Wakayama to CANCEL the dolphin-hunting permit. Or help get the word out on Twitter - before more innocent dolphins are killed. The campaign has already been supported by a number of prominent Australians, including Isabel Lucas, Pat Rafter, and Ita Buttrose. And the movement is only growing in strength and numbers! Clearly, now is not the time to give up, or to turn a blind eye to the suffering of frightened dolphins. Now is the time to take action and #StopTheBloodbath! | ||||
| #ShameIMATA - Hands off Taiji dolphins! | ||||
The tragic events of this weekend, which saw up to 50 dolphins torn out of
the wild for a miserable life in captivity, were a stark reminder of the
appalling role dolphin trainers play in sustaining the Taiji hunts.
All day Saturday and Sunday trainers got into boats and entered the cove. With pointed fingers they chose which dolphins they thought were the most ‘attractive’, condemning them to spend the rest of their lives in tiny, chlorinated tanks. These are Taiji’s faceless middlemen, and they are getting away with horrific animal abuse. Many of these trainers are members of IMATA (the International Marine Animal Trainers’ Association), which is the world’s peak membership body for marine animal trainers. IMATA claims its mission is to advance “the most professional, effective, and humane care of marine animals in all habitats”. But when I visited Taiji I saw these trainers with my own eyes, standing in the cove laughing as wounded dolphins drowned right next to them. If you want to do something about IMATA's hypocrisy, please add your voice to the chorus of people calling for change by sending an email directly to the person in charge, at President@imata.org. If you’re stuck for inspiration, have a look at AFD’s recent letter to IMATA for ideas. By shining a light on IMATA’s terrible practices, together we can make sure the organisation changes its policy at its annual conference in the Bahamas on the 27th September, and rules to get IMATA trainers' hands off Taiji dolphins. | ||||
| Taking dolphin issues to Parliament... | ||||
Bucky the dolphin was born in the wild, but he's been stuck in a tiny prison
cell for more than 45 years, forced to perform circus tricks for food. Even
though Bucky is very old and recovering from cancer, he is still made to give
tourists rides and perform multiple exhausting shows a day. Sadly, this abuse
takes place at a law-breaking marine park in our very own backyard, at a place
called Dolphin Marine Magic.
AFD has been campaigning heavily for the dolphins at DMM over the last couple of months, and have managed to have our concerns taken as high as the Parliament of NSW. A few weeks ago Greens member Mehreen Faruqi asked a series of animal welfare related Questions on Notice to the Minister for Primary Industries, Niall Blair, on behalf of DMM's six dolphins. This week those questions were followed up with a further question on the floor, asked by NSW MP for the Animal Justice Party, The Hon. Mark Pearson. Both of these attempts to seek the truth were met with stuttering and evasive answers - which means we must be onto something! Clearly the minister is starting to feel the heat, and we will continue to keep the pressure on and fight for change. Click here to read more about the terrible treatment of dolphins at Dolphin Marine Magic. | ||||
| Swag that saves dolphins! | ||||
Help spread the word about marine protection AND contribute to the ongoing
defence of dolphins by picking yourself up some sweet swag!
Every single dollar raised in AFD's ethical online store helps protect dolphins and small whales from cruelty. Did we mention FREE SHIPPING on all domestic orders? Best get on it and grab yourself some dolphin-friendly threads today at: http://australia-for-dolphins.myshopify.com/ | ||||
| All news is dolphin news | ||||
If you've turned on the telly, switched on the radio, or opened a newspaper
recently, chances are you've come across AFD!
Today Tonight SA put together a great TV special detailing AFD's work to stop the Taiji hunts and the amazing local dolphin colony in the Port Adelaide dolphin river sanctuary. We were also mentioned in an article by Australian actress, model, and dolphin advocate Isabel Lucas describing her trip to Taiji, and why she isn't disheartened by the start of this year's hunting season. Not to mention shout outs and interviews with Our Hen House podcast, The News Hub, The Source News, and a in-depth investigative article by New Matilda, looking at the issue of dolphin captivity in Australia. | ||||
| Japan Dolphins Day panel | ||||
A massive THANK YOU to everyone who came along to our special Japan Dolphins
Day panel event on the 1st of September.
We loved meeting you all, and hearing the excellent animal welfare questions you threw at our panel of experts. A broad range of issues were put under the microscope, including everything from the Taiji dolphin hunts, captivity, whaling, live export, kangaroo culls, Ag-Gag laws, and Halal and Kosher slaughter methods. It was a cracker of a night, so make sure you keep an eye out for the next AFD event and get involved! | ||||
| Keep up the great work, dolphin defenders | ||||
As always, thank you so much for everything you have done to help protect
dolphins from suffering and cruelty. None of this work would have been possible
without the support of passionate, caring people like you.
You help us keep up hope, and with your support, I know we are one step closer to a world where dolphinhunting is a thing of the past. If you want to help put the odds in our favour and be a voice for the voiceless, please consider becoming a member of Australia for Dolphins today. |
