They loaded the boats up with festival-goers and took them on a joyride in the same waters where moments earlier, they had kidnapped an entire family — at Taiji, Japan

November 2 , 2014 - Bottlenose Dolphins

 

As a general rule, the hunting boats leave the port no later than 6:30 a.m., however by 7:30am, there was no sign of the hunters and the boats were still tied securely to the docks.

With the whale festival preparations under way and the beginning of a holiday weekend, there were no indications that a hunt would occur today.

 

While monitoring the activity in Taiji, the Cove Guardians noticed that the banger boats had decided to go hunting, found a pod and were now driving them toward the cove.

 

The fleet drove 20-25 Bottlenose dolphins, including many juveniles and babies, into the cove. The pod was left netted in and swimming in circles, so that the hunters could return to join the festivities.

 

In the coming days, the members of the pod will be assessed to decide whether they are suitable for capture or slaughter.

 

Bottlenose dolphins can be very profitable for the hunters/trainers due to the high demand for this species in the captivity industry.

After 63 days into the hunting season, this is the first Bottlenose pod that has been captured.

— at Taiji Harbor, Japan.

 

 

Sites for more information :

Sea Shepherd Cove Guardians Page (official)

www.facebook.com/SeaShepherdCoveGuardiansOfficialPage

 

Cove Guardians

www.seashepherd.org/cove-guardians

 

 

Photo: Sea Shepherd

 

 

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