Two Videos: The Good and the Bad
31Jul
By Ric O’Barry
Campaign Director
Ric O’Barry’s Dolphin Project
Two recent videos show the stunning contrasts in our Campaign to Save Japan Dolphins. One is of slaughter and blood. The other is of hope and the future. Which scenario do you prefer?
In May, the Japan Fisheries Agency extended the season for the Taiji dolphin killers to hunt pilot whales. (Ironically, one of the excuses the dolphin killers used to justify the extension is to claim the presence of our Cove Monitors and other organizations in Taiji interfered with their hunts. In fact, of course, there was no interference at all.) Our volunteer monitor Brian Barnes was in town to assess the impact of the earthquake and tsunami on the dolphin hunts, so he was able to film the terrible pilot whale “hunt”. I warn you that this video is very graphic:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_oqBpb7_ls
Fortunately, that is not the end of the story, by any means. All around the world, people are standing up to oppose the dolphin and whale hunts in Japan and elsewhere. We are seeing much progress in our Campaign.
I was in Canada last April, invited by the students of Christ the King Secondary School in Georgetown, Ontario, (with MAST Academy in Miami, FL, plugged in via Skype) to attend their wonderful Sonar2Voice event. There were student rock bands, student speakers, and plenty of fun, all aimed at getting high school students involved in saving our planet. Here is the video, made by the students themselves in their video classroom:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txUzKrhRlmU
So, which scenario will we seen continue into the future?
My bet is with the students. Students around the world are contacting us, forming Cove Clubs to spread the message. You can go to the Sonar2Voice website to learn more:
On a personal note, I had a wonderful time, and want to thank all the students who made it possible. These kids are great, and the great hope of the future!
Photo of Ric in Gym addressing students by Sonar2Voice.
