Risso’s Slaughtered in First Red Cove of Season

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Risso’s dolphins slaughtered in first drive of the 2018/19 dolphin hunting season, Taiji, Japan.

18Sep

Blog, Campaigns, Japan | Posts by : Cara Sands

Taiji, 9-18-18 – After 17 days where no dolphins were slaughtered or taken captive, the dolphin hunters of Taiji, Japan were successful in capturing a small pod of Risso’s, in the first red cove of the 2018/19 drive season.

For three hours, hunters in 12 banger boats chased the pod of dolphins. Cove Monitors broadcast live on Dolphin Project’s Facebook page as the dolphins fought to evade the fishermen. Sadly, the exhausted mammals were eventually forced into the adjacent harbor, where they were netted in, their fate sealed.

Dolphin Project Cove Monitors watch the horizon as dolphin hunting boats pursue a pod of dolphins. Credit: DolphinProject.com

Banger boats attempt to push a pod of dolphins into The Cove, Taiji, Japan. Credit: DolphinProject.com

Four Risso’s dolphins were tethered in slings and taken to the butcher’s house, where they were processed for their meat – a practice carrying serious health risks for those that consume them.

Dolphin Project will continue to document and live stream for the duration of the hunting season. Please follow us on our social media channels for live updates.