Monday was the ONLY day the people in Taji, Japan killed and captured Dolphins this week:
Day 48 - Red Cove - 6 boats in formation came back and shoots back dolphins in the bay. This pod of Dolphins could not escape the nets and closed the bay. They are now dead or in a pen waiting to be sold off to a place that uses Dolphins for Entertainment.
Click here to
read The Daily Mail's article on the thousands of people who slammed the Sea
World stunt on social media.
Sea Shepherd's Cove Guardians believe that this young Risso's dolphin was among a pod slaughtered by the Taiji hunters on Oct. 19.
Photo: Sea ShepherdSea Shepherd Conservation Society has documented the body of a juvenile Risso’s dolphin who washed ashore on the rocks in Taiji, Japan on Tuesday (Japan time), believed to have been slaughtered alongside its family pod and dumped at sea by the Taiji hunters so its tiny body would not be counted against the killers’ annual quota of Risso’s, which was exceeded last year.
Days 52, 51, 50, 49 and 47 - Blue Cove
London was loud and proud last Friday when — at its height, around 800 people aired their grievances outside the Japanese embassy for the dolphins killed in the drive hunts of Japan.
The Japanese dolphins drives which last for six months of the year, force wild dolphins swimming past the town of Taiji, into a cove, where they are sealed off from the ocean. Once they are contained, the marine mammals are killed for meat consumption or sold to captive facilities for entertainment purposes.
The Dolphin Project believes that London holds the key to ending this barbaric practice. “The protesters are are the best in the world,” said Ric O’Barry in an interview with Anneka Svenska. It proved this on Oct. 16, when the Japanese embassy chose to remove its flag from its own building. This has never happened before.
The Japanese flag being taken down is a sign of progress. — Ric O’Barry/Anneka Svenska
At the center of the demo was Ric, who has recently returned from Taiji cove. During his visit, he was forced to witness the cruelty of the hunts firsthand when a Risso’s dolphin died at his feet.
Ric was joined by Dominic Dyer of Born Free and Care for the Wild, by Cove Monitor Maria Nangle, and by Ollie Blackmore of Ollie’s Cycle Challenges. Blackmore recently completed a grueling, 3,600 kilometer bicycle ride from one end of Japan to the other, to raise awareness for Japan’s dolphins.
Ric was introduced by Dyer, and received a rousing welcome:
Video courtesy Julie Selby.
It was perhaps the loudest demo yet for the dolphins, who must constantly run the gauntlet as they transition past Taiji. Despite the drives receiving international condemnation, Japan continues to argue that they are cultural and tradition. It is reasoning easily disproved by history and local Japanese conservation groups.
Put simply, these dolphins are driven for profit.
From L-R: Cove Monitor Maria Nangle, Ollie Blackmore, Ric O’Barry and Jo Phillips. Image: Ollie’s Cycle Challenges.
Even JAZA, the Japanese Association of Zoos and Aquariums, recently told its members not to source dolphins captured in the Taiji drives. Yet the Taiji Fisheries Cooperative remains stalwart in its defense of the hunts and intends to continue hunting them. The Taiji Whale Museum chose to withdraw as a member of JAZA rather than give up its access to disposable dolphins.
The Japanese embassy in London removed its flag. O’Barry called this a “sign of progress.” Image: Ollie’s Cycle Challenges.
The local government of Taiji town may profess pride in what it does, but its actions prove otherwise. The dolphins are now killed beneath tarps and have wooden plugs inserted into the wounds to prevent them from bleeding out and turning the waters of the cove, blood red. Dolphin sales and transports are cloaked in secrecy but CITES permits reveal that these dolphins are shipped worldwide.
“It’s the same thing as taking the flag down, they’re trying to cover up the blood, they’re trying to hide it.”– Ric O’Barry/Anneka Svenska
Can you say loud? Nobody could doubt the passion of this protest. Image: Ollie’s Cycle Challenges.
With Japan getting set to host the 2020 Olympics while its own people continue to struggle in the aftermath of Fukishima, is appalling.
The government is on the defense now now — I think it has to do with the Olympics because that represents billions of dollars and they want to find a way to sweep this under the rug — Ric O’Barry/Anneka Svenska
One thing is clear. The Japanese government can no longer choose to be a player on the world stage and then hide from its actions. On Friday, Oct. 16, the city of London placed them firmly on notice.
Someday, it will go away and I think London is the key to that. — Ric O’Barry/Anneka Svenska
Thank you London! It’s going to take far more than the removal of the Japanese flag to hide from the world, what the Japanese government currently endorses.
Watch Ric’s full interview with Anneka Svenska below:
Video courtesy Anneka Svenska
Mother and baby whale swim with mother and baby dolphin. Adorable drone footage shows humpback whales swimming with dolphins off the east coast of Australia. The moment a mother and baby whale and a mother and baby dolphin meet has been caught on camera off the east coast of Australia.
The amazing footage was captured using a camera which had been mounted to a drone.
In the clip, which was filmed in early October, two humpback whales can be seen swimming near the surface behind the two dolphins.
The whales seem fascinated by the smaller mammals, but the dolphins do not appear phased by their new company.
After four weeks of traversing the hazardous tunnels and precarious roads of Japan, Ollie Blackmore did it, he cycled the length of the country for dolphins, and he did it completely solo and unsupported. Beginning in Nagasaki, Blackmore reached Tokyo on September 29, where he met up with his beautiful girlfriend and now fiancée, Kate Lawrence.
“I haven’t cycled in nearly two weeks,” Ollie told me, although he hopes to get back on his bike this weekend. Who can blame him, he did hit more than his fair share of tough spots long the way. The largest of which, he said, was crashing the bike into some metal on a main road.
“I nearly came off into oncoming traffic, no idea how I didn’t! At first I thought I’d just punctured the front tyre but turns out I’d smashed the front and rear wheels and torn a hole in the back tyre.”
Ollie, cycling Japan. Image: Ollie’s Cycle Challenge/Facebook
Having a specialist size wheel hub, Blackmore was at a loss as to how to get the problem fixed — even finding the right parts would prove a challenge. But find them he did, and he even got the problem fixed … until his chain came off into the wheel while going up a 20% gradient hill.
“The shop that fitted them didn’t adjust the gears properly,” Ollie said, “and as a result of the width difference, the spokes broke, which meant even more repairs denting my progress.”
As for the weather, after enduring three solid days of typhoon rain and wind, waterlogged was an understatement. “So much water got into everything, my phone got wrecked, my GPS tracker, my lights, camera; it was all soaked Some things never worked again, I was glad when the sun came out again!”
Takayso-san accompanied Ollie to deliver aid to Fukushima disaster victims in Minamisoma.
Ensnared by traffic lights, closed roads, tolls roads and expressways that didn’t allow bicycles, Ollie had to adapt his route constantly. His planned trail, a total distance of 3,600 km, flew out of the window. “The total ended up being 3,242 km,” he said.
Still, he averaged 100 miles a day, with his best day topping out at 140 miles, so the cyclist took an extra day off his bike to take aid to the Fukushima disaster victims in Minamisoma.
So what will Ollie remember the most?
“How nice the Japanese people were to me, those I spoke to about my challenge didn’t agree with what happens in Taiji, but are afraid to speak out. It’s such a culture shock in that respect. Takayo, who arranged the visit to Minamisoma asked me why there are so many activists in the UK. I couldn’t think at first, but it didn’t take me long to realise why. We have no repercussions for speaking out in the UK, or many places in the world. In Japan, people receive threats, are harassed and ostracised for standing out. It’s very difficult for people who oppose dolphin hunts to gather support, even though many people think it’s cruel. Spending a day with Ric, Terran and Tim was amazing too. Surreal being at the cove in Taiji, these guys do such amazing work, I’m glad to be part of such an awesome team.”
Supplies for the Fukushima disaster victims in Minamisoma. Image: Ollie’s Cycle Challenge/Facebook
When Ollie hit Tokyo — safe and sound, it was a relief to everyone who had followed his journey. Let’s face it, he had time with Ric and the Dolphin Project team in Taiji at the cove, and with Takayo san at Minamisoma, but outside of that, he was stone cold solo in a strange country. The language barrier was tough, and the relationship with authorities have not been the best this year.
Although support was thousands of miles away — it was still forthcoming — from family and close friends, and even strangers he had never met.
“I’d like to thank my fiancée Kate,” Ollie said, “she has stuck by me throughout all of my challenges. Her support and encouragement has really kept me going. Huge thanks to Kassei.cc for kit, Streetlife Cycles for advice and support with the bike, my team at Selesti and all of my family and friends cheering me on. I also want to thank everyone who has connected with what I’m doing and who donated too. The response has been overwhelming, in such a positive way.”
Congratulations Ollie and Kate. Welcome to the Dolphin Project Family! Image: Ollie’s Cycle Challenge/Facebook
The entire journey was an astonishing feat for Ollie. It was only his third cycle challenge — for charity, to date. There was a wonderful prize awaiting him in Tokyo, his then girlfriend Kate, whom he proposed to in Japan.
The proposal was supposed to happen back home in the UK, but, “the logistics of finding a ring so close to my challenge meant I didn’t get time,” Ollie said. “Every day on the ride I thought about proposing more and more, I bought the ring in Sendai, and carried it in tons of padding to Tokyo.”
After 4 weeks, I couldn’t wait to see @katejlawrence1! Finally spotted her in the busiest intersection in the world, couldn’t miss the #dolphin! What an adventure it’s been!! #cyclechallengejapanPosted by Ollie’s Cycle Challenges on Thursday, October 1, 2015
Despite the long bike ride, Ollie assures me he isn’t done. “The challenge was just the beginning,” he said, “I have been so inspired and motivated to do more.”
And on Oct. 16, he reunited with Ric O’Barry at the massive protest in London where he gave a speech alongside other notable speakers, including Ric.
I’ve also made connections with the British Embassy in Tokyo, the government in the UK and I’m reaching out to other organisations too, to gain support and explore as many channels to campaign through,” he explained. “I’ll be heading to Japan again to cove monitor for sure, and doing more challenges too, my aim is to raise as much awareness as I can, and educate people about change. — Ollie Blackmore.
Our respect for Ollie’s passion and accomplishments is infinite. He has helped educate the people of Japan and thanks to his blogs, we have heard how the fear of retaliation still keeps Japanese people from speaking out. His grand adventure also netted well over $6,000 for Ric O’Barry’s Dolphin Project, and he did it all with a smile on his face.
“I’m in this for the long-haul,” Ollie said.
We couldn’t be more pleased. Thank you Ollie, and welcome to the family!
With your incredible help, this month AFD has:
- Gone on national television to talk about the Taiji hunts and dolphin captivity
- Taken on IMATA, the world's peak marine animal trainers' association with shocking links to Taiji
- Mourned the loss of baby Ji at Dolphin Marine Magic and pressured NSW authorities to launch a new investigation into animal welfare breaches at the controversial marine park
- Applauded the decision of the California Coastal Commission in taking a stand against SeaWorld's cruel captive orca breeding program, and Made sure The Today Show knows it is not okay to promote dolphin captivity in 2015.
As you can see, it's been a busy month. Why not take a minute to read our newsletter and find out what's been going on in the world of dolphin protection?
Talking dolphins
Thank you to the team at Studio 10 for having AFD CEO Sarah Lucas on the show this month, to talk about the Taiji hunts and dolphin captivity.
Sarah explained how the aquarium industry provides economic motivation for the annual Taiji dolphin hunts, and took on myths surrounding dolphin captivity. "The science is clear," she told viewers. "Dolphins suffer in captivity."
If you didn't get a chance to catch Sarah's interview on the telly as it went live to the entire country, take a second to check it out now...
#ShameIMATA - Hands off Taiji dolphins!
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THANK YOU to the hundreds of caring dolphin advocates who wrote to IMATA asking them to stop their trainers participating in the cruel Taiji hunts.
In the next few weeks we plan to keep pressuring IMATA to take a stand against dolphin cruelty and ban its members from participating in the hunts - stay tuned for more info!
In the meantime, have a look at AFD’s recent letter to IMATA, demanding it take action against trainers tearing dolphins away from their families in the cove.
R.I.P. baby Ji Ling
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Dolphin Marine Magic in Coffs Harbour has announced the death of its youngest bottlenose dolphin, two year old Ji-Ling.
While the tragic incident occured two weeks ago, we still don't have an answer from the marine park to explain what caused Ji-Ling's untimely death.
What we do know is that mortality rates of captive dolphins are significantly higher than those in the wild – a disturbing fact when you consider the traditional risks to wild dolphins such as predators are absent, and the animals are meant to be under close veterinary supervision.
Ji-Ling’s death is a sad reminder that dolphins do not belong in captivity. We will continue to fight for an answer as to what caused poor baby Ji's tragic death.
Click here to read The Australian's article questioning the unexplained death.
And here to read more about the terrible treatment of dolphins at Dolphin Marine Magic.
Captivity under investigation
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Fantastic news, dolphin defenders! After providing sufficient evidence showing Dolphin Marine Magic is breaking animal welfare standards, NSW authorities have agreed to investigate.
The standards clearly state: "Visitors must be encouraged not to kiss the animals".
Well, the phone number for Dolphin Marine Magic is '1300 KISSES', and it openly advertises that every single person who comes to the park is entitled to a “free dolphin and seal kiss”.
When we pushed this point, they farcically insisted it is the dolphins who kiss people, and not the other way around. Even though poor Bucky and the other dolphins have been trained to provide "kisses" on demand.
It's incredibly concerning to see Dolphin Marine Magic ignore the intent of the legislation - which is to protect dolphins and stop the transfer of dangerous pathogens - in favour of playing a ridiculous game of semantics. Especially when the youngest dolphin at this seriously questionable marine park has died a tragic and, as of yet, completely unexplained death.
We will continue to monitor this new investigation closely, and will keep calling for change.
If you want to take action to help, please sign the petition to bring an end to dolphin captivity in Australia.
A win for orcas at SeaWorld!
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Did you hear the good news? In an unexpected win for orcas, the California Coastal Commission has voted to allow the expansion of orca tanks at SeaWorld San Diego with the strict provision the marine park bans all captive orca breeding.
It would mean SeaWorld San Diego's current population of 11 whales would be the LAST orcas ever held at the facility.
“A ban on breeding would sentence these animals to a slow extinction in our care,” the president of SeaWorld San Diego told L.A Times.
This is a massive victory, putting SeaWorld in between a rock and a hard place. If it doesn't go ahead with the expansion, it will prove the whole development was a PR stunt, not a genuine effort to give cramped orcas more space. If it DOES build the tanks, it will be the beginning of the end of orca captivity at SeaWorld San Diego.
To read more about how this is a win-win situation for orcas, check out our recent blog article detailing why the coastal commission’s ‘yes’ vote to SeaWorld is a good thing.
Captivity Kills... ratings, that is
This week we were extremely disappointed to see The Today Show Australia film the popular breakfast show live from SeaWorld on the Gold Coast.
The incredible news is so many of you contacted The Today Show to express disappointment in their decision, the blatant PR stunt blew up in their faces and YOU became the story!
This is a fantastic turn around for the dolphins, and has completely counteracted what was essentially a 3 and a half hour promotional ad for dolphin captivity beamed into living rooms across the country yesterday.
THANK YOU to everyone who contacted The Today Show to take a stand against animal cruelty.
If you agree dolphin circuses have no place on Australian television in 2015, you can still head to The Today Show's Facebook page and tell them it is time to put animal welfare before profit.
This is an important turning point in the conversation surrounding dolphin captivity, and reinforces that small actions can have a big impact.
Look snazzy, save dolphins
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If you want to wear your passion for conservation on your sleeve, take a look at Australia for Dolphins' online shop.
Every dollar raised helps fund effective, peaceful campaigns to fight dolphin suffering around the world.
Also: free shipping on all domestic orders! So jump online and grab yourself some sweet dolphin swag today. You dolphinately won't regret it.
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.
With your support, I know we are one step closer to a world where dolphin hunting is a thing of the past.
If you want to put the odds in our favour, please consider becoming a member of Australia for Dolphins today.
Again, thank you so much for all that you do for dolphins - I'm sure they appreciate your support as much as I do.
Sea Shepherd Documents Dead Juvenile Risso’s Dolphin, Believed to have Been Killed and Dumped at Sea by Taiji Hunters
Sea Shepherd believes the hunters have been dumping the bodies of slaughtered Risso’s calves and juveniles to avoid including them in the annual Risso’s quota, which was exceeded last season.
Sea Shepherd's Cove Guardians believe that this young Risso's dolphin was among a pod slaughtered by the Taiji hunters on Oct. 19.
Photo: Sea ShepherdSea Shepherd Conservation Society has documented the body of a juvenile Risso’s dolphin who washed ashore on the rocks in Taiji, Japan on Tuesday (Japan time), believed to have been slaughtered alongside its family pod and dumped at sea by the Taiji hunters so its tiny body would not be counted against the killers’ annual quota of Risso’s, which was exceeded last year.
Sea Shepherd’s Cove Guardian volunteers stationed on the ground in Taiji believe that this young dolphin was among a pod of 18-20 Risso’s dolphins driven into Taiji’s infamous cove and slaughtered on Oct. 19 (Japan time). Since the 2015-2016 drive hunt season began on Sept. 1, the only species of cetacean slaughtered to date has been Risso’s, with a total of approximately 73-76 dolphins killed. On multiple days Sea Shepherd has documented the hunters leaving the cove in skiffs following a slaughter, with tarps draped across the vessels, hiding what appears to be the small bodies of juvenile Risso’s dolphins.
Sea Shepherd believes that the hunters are dumping the bodies of these dolphins, who swam wild and free before being driven to the deadly shores of Taiji, in order to keep them from counting toward their annual Risso’s quota. Since Risso’s are typically killed for human consumption by the hunters and not taken captive, the hunters likely do not want the smallest members of these pods to count toward their quota, as they would not produce much meat. Last season, the Risso’s quota was exceeded, and this year’s quota of 256 Risso’s may very well be exceeded too as the season continues until March 2016.
“The dolphin killers may be dumping these young Risso’s at sea to manipulate their kill numbers, but Sea Shepherd – and thousands of our Cove Guardian supporters around the world who have been following our updates from Taiji – know the truth that is hidden under the tarps. These dolphins were slaughtered, just like their families, and should be counted in this season’s death toll,” said Sea Shepherd Campaign Coordinator, David Hance.
“The ocean knows no quotas. Whether the number reported by the Taiji Fisherman’s Union reflects the true number of dolphins killed or not, the same number of cetacean families – entire bloodlines at a time – have been stolen from the sea, from the marine eco-systems that support all life on Earth. Taiji’s dolphin massacre is unsustainable as well as unspeakably cruel,” added Hance.
Along with concerns over the impact of Taiji’s hunt on Risso’s numbers, Sea Shepherd is also concerned that the reason other species have not been found by the hunters is because the populations of other cetacean species may be declining in Japanese waters due to the yearly killings. Bottlenose is the only other species of dolphin that has been driven into the cove thus far this season. Located by the hunters on Sept. 19 (Japan time) and held overnight in the cove without food or shelter, a large pod of bottlenose dolphins faced two days of brutal and violent captive selection. 50 members of the pod were stolen from the sea to be sold for captivity, while 28-30 dolphins were driven back out to sea. These were mostly juveniles who have little to no chance of survival without the protection of their mothers or pod.
Along with monitoring and live streaming of the drive hunt, captures and slaughters, Sea Shepherd’s 2015-2016 Operation Henkaku campaign, the organization’s sixth consecutive season of its Taiji Dolphin Defense Campaign, features an increased focus on raising awareness of the inextricable link between the slaughter of dolphins in Taiji and the international captive cetacean industry. Sea Shepherd believes that the drive hunt could not be sustained by the sale of dolphin meat for human consumption, as demand for dolphin and whale meat has sunk to an all-time low. One slaughtered dolphin produces approximately $600 USD worth of meat – but one trained captive dolphin can be sold by the hunters for as much as $250,000 USD.
“The death of the young Risso’s dolphin who washed ashore is a barbaric by-product of the captive industry, just like the deaths of all other dolphins who have fallen victim to Taiji’s killers. The highly lucrative trade in live dolphins for captivity is the economic fuel that not only drives Taiji’s hunting boats, it drives dolphins straight to their deaths in the cove,” said Captain Paul Watson, Sea Shepherd Founder and Senior Strategic Advisor for Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. “Until there is no longer a demand for captive dolphins and whales around the world or until the world steps up and demands an end to the brutal hunts from the government of Japan, cetaceans will continue to die in Taiji.”
For six months of each year, from Sept. 1 until March, entire family units, or pods, of dolphins and small whales are driven into the cove. Banger poles are struck against the side of the hunting boats to create a “wall of sound,” disorienting the sound-sensitive marine mammals and making it nearly impossible for them to escape the drive. The members of these frightened pods will face either imprisonment in captivity or brutal slaughter before the eyes of their families. Killers and trainers work side-by-side to select the “prettiest” dolphins and whales for captivity, those without visible scars. The others are mercilessly stabbed with a metal spike inserted into their backs, just behind the blowhole, to sever their spine. The dolphins slowly and painfully bleed to death or drown in the blood of their family members – others may die slowly as they are tethered and dragged to the butcherhouse, where the once living and free cetaceans are butchered and processed into meat. These inhumane killings are a blemish upon Japan, whose government refuses to sign on to many protection efforts and regulations for marine mammals, despite most of the world recognizing the need to protect these highly intelligent, self-aware and beloved animals.
 Injuries are clearly visible on the face and body of the young Risso's dolphin.Photo: Sea Shepherd |  Facial wounds on the Risso's dolphin, possibly from injuries sustained during the drive hunt or slaughter.Photo: Sea Shepherd |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHO IS KILLING THE DOLPHINS?
HOW DO THEY KILL THE DOLPHINS?
WHY DO THEY KILL THE DOLPHINS?
WHAT SPECIES DO THEY KILL AND HOW MANY?
WHY IS IT CALLED “DRIVE FISHERY”?
WHEN DOES THE DOLPHIN DRIVE HUNT TAKE PLACE?
HOW DO THEY CAPTURE THE DOLPHINS?
WHY DO THE HUNTERS LEAVE DOLPHINS IN THE COVE OVERNIGHT BEFORE THEY KILL THEM?
WHY CAN’T YOU PUT OUT NOISE MAKERS OR BOATS TO BLOCK THE HUNTS?
WHY DON’T THE DOLPHINS JUMP THE NETS?
HAVE YOU EVER SEEN DOLPHINS ESCAPE AFTER THEY WERE CHASED INTO THE KILLING COVE?
WHY DO MEMBERS OF THE DOLPHINARIUM INDUSTRY TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE HUNT?
BUT ARE DOLPHINARIUMS NOT SAVING THE SELECTED DOLPHINS FROM SLAUGHTER?
IS IT TRUE THAT THE DOLPHIN TRAINERS ACTUALLY ASSIST IN KILLING DOLPHINS?
WHAT AQUARIUMS PURCHASE TAIJI DOLPHINS FOR CAPTIVITY?
WHAT’S WRONG WITH EATING DOLPHIN MEAT?
WHERE ELSE IN THE WORLD ARE DOLPHINS BEING SLAUGHTERED?
COWS ARE MISTREATED IN THE WEST, HOW CAN WE CRITICIZE THE DOLPHIN HUNT?
HOW IS THE DOLPHIN PROJECT CAMPAIGN RELATED TO THE COVE DOCUMENTARY?
WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP?
