An Act of Mercy for a Dolphin in Japan

By Ric O’Barry

I just heard a story that gave me a lot of hope for Japan and dolphins both.

The incredible tsunami that swept over Japan’s northern coast stranded a baby dolphin in a rice paddy more than a mile from the coast.

Mr. Ryo Taira, a pet shop owner who had been going about trying to save pets in the tsunami zone, heard from a person who saw the dolphin stranded.  Mr. Taira went to the paddy and managed to catch the dolphin with the help of friends and wrap it in wet towels.  They then brought the dolphin to the ocean and released it.

Mr. Taira told the Asahi Shimbun newspaper:  “I don’t know if it will live, but it’s certainly a lot better than dying in a rice paddy.”  Mr. Taira thought the dolphin perked up when they managed to get it back into the ocean.

Many Japanese care deeply about animals and are willing to go out of their way to help.  Volunteers in Japan have often worked hard to save dolphins that strand on beaches in Japan.  And whale and dolphin-watching cruises are gaining in popularity.

If you would like to contribute to Mr. Taira’s efforts to help animals, go to his website:

http://blog.goo.ne.jp/welcome-dogwood/

(NOTE: This website is in Japanese, but you can scroll down to where the bank information is in English for a donation via a bank transfer.)