BREAKING: Taiji’s Vile Abuse of Dolphins – Day 4

Taiji, 1-23-17: With a bitter chill in the air and dread in our hearts, we began the day in search of dead dolphins. And, by the end of the day, we witnessed not one – but two dolphins die as a result of the extreme stress they have been forced to endure. At the time of this writing – they still are.

Baby dolphins amongst group fleeing from skiffs after 4 days of captivity, Taiji, Japan
Credit: DolphinProject.com

Extreme violence as dolphins are grabbed and manhandled, Taiji, Japan
Credit: DolphinProject.com

It’s been 85 hours since the dolphins were driven into the cove and subjected to starvation, dehydration and manhandling. They have been repeatedly run over by skiffs. One dolphin was photographed with what appeared to be vomit in its mouth. Others were seen rolling over, in exhaustion and death. Two were trapped in nets and while they managed to free themselves, not one diver came to their assistance. A dolphin slammed its head against a boat in panic. Another was covered in bloody cuts.

Dolphin attempts to escape skiffs and divers, Taiji, Japan
Credit: DolphinProject.com

Dolphin appears to have vomited from stress or injuries, Taiji, Japan
Credit: DolphinProject.com

Again, this pod of over 250+ bottlenose dolphins were put through vile abuse, all so the prettiest mammals could be selected, sold and shipped as “entertainment” to marine parks and aquariums throughout the world.

Any animal cruelty laws on Japan’s books stop at the water’s edge.” ~ Ric O’Barry, Founder/Director of Dolphin Project

Dolphin Project Cove Monitors live streamed on Facebook for hours, until divers and trainers left the cove. We were appalled as we realized the mammals would be held overnight, and would soon be entering day 5 of their captivity. A total of 29 dolphins were taken captive today, with a sum total (to-date) of 82 dolphins taken. Two dolphins died in the cove. There are approximately 150 dolphins considered “rejects” that are still being held, with about 40 dolphins yet to be “processed.”

Our Cove Monitors will return later today and resume live streaming for the world to witness.

Dolphin rolls over and dies on camera, Taiji, Japan
Credit: DolphinProject.com

HOW YOU CAN HELP

CONTACT YOUR LOCAL JAPANESE EMBASSY/CONSULATE AND LET THEM KNOW YOUR OUTRAGE AT TAIJI’S DEPLORABLE ABUSE OF DOLPHINS, TAKING PLACE NOW IN THE COVE:

PRIME MINISTER OF JAPAN
Prime Minister Shinzo- Abe
Cabinet Office, Government of Japan
1-6-1 Nagata-cho
Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo. 100-8914 JAPAN
+81-3-5253-2111

Website: http://www.kantei.go.jp/foreign/index-e.html
Online comment form #1: https://www.kantei.go.jp/foreign/forms/comment_ssl.html
Online comment form #2: https://form.cao.go.jp/kokusai/en_opinion-0001.html

Japanese Embassies Worldwide:
Websites of Japanese Embassies, Consulates and Permanent Missions

List of Embassies and Consulates-General in Japan:
List of Embassies and Consulates-General in Japan

US Embassy in Japan:
Ambassador of the United States to Japan
Telephone: 011-81-3-3224-5000
Fax: 011-81-3-3505-1862
Send E-mail to the U.S. Embassy in Japan