Spending their last moments together as a complete family unit — at Taiji Japan

December 19, 2014 – Mixed pod of Bottlenose Dolphins and Pilot Whales - at Taiji Japan

 

Early this morning at approximately 8:00am Cove Guardians could see 12 vessels heading together on the horizon. The killing fleet had spotted a pod of dolphins and wasted no time in pushing them towards Taiji - and the cove. The pod put up a tough fight and tried everything they could to escape the killers, however all their attempts at freedom were in vain as they were eventually netted off into the cove.

 

Today was a very profitable day for Taiji as the killers drove in both Bottlenose dolphins and Pilot Whales. We are estimating that approximately 40-45 Pilot Whales were driven in today, alongside at least 8 Bottlenose dolphins - one being a very young calf just a few months old. This young calf was seen clinging to its mothers side as they were spy hopping, confused and terrified after the exhausting drive.

 

The killers showed their lack of compassion as they decided to leave the pod over night, where they will be swimming in circles until their fate is decided. The weather for tomorrow is supposed to be rainy, so time will show if the pod will have to spend two nights in agony in the cove, before coming face to face with the dolphin killers.

 

Cove Guardians have been monitoring the pod through the day, and haunting cries can be heard over the cove as darkness descends.. Cove Guardians will be livestreaming tomorrow at approximately 6:30am, but we will update our social media with any potential changes.

 

Sites for more information :

Sea Shepherd Cove Guardians Page (official)

www.facebook.com/SeaShepherdCoveGuardiansOfficialPage

Cove Guardians

www.seashepherd.org/cove-guardians

 

Photo: Sea Shepherd

 

 

Done