Dolphin Project Cove Monitors are on the ground in Taiji, Japan during the entire six-month long dolphin hunting season. From the captives taken from their pods and a wild world, to the dolphins slaughtered, hidden under tarps in the killing cove, we’ve assembled a small gallery of individuals to represent the many lives irrevocably ended or changed as a result of the hunts.
It is these faces which inspire us to continue the fight.
Bottlenose dolphins, including several babies, attempt to flee hunters during drive, Taiji, Japan. Photo credit: Dolphin Project
Captive bottlenose dolphin floats listlessly in sea pen, Taiji, Japan. Photo credit: Dolphin Project
Bleeding Risso’s dolphin guided away from nets and into the killing cove. Photo credit: Dolphin Project
Captive Risso’s dolphin begging for a dead fish meal. Photo credit: Dolphin Project
Pilot whales huddle together, searching for a way to escape. They would all be slaughters several hours later, with the exception of one. Photo credit: Dolphin Project
Captive pilot whale with skin lesions, Taiji, Japan. Photo credit: Dolphin Project
Panicked striped dolphins throw themselves against nets in attempt to escape hunters, Taiji, Japan. Photo credit: Dolphin Project
From a vast sea to a filthy tank, striped dolphins displayed at the Taiji Whale Museum, Japan. Photo credit: Dolphin Project
Captive bottlenose dolphin, Taiji Whale Museum. Photo credit: Dolphin Project
The face of non-human sentience: captive Pacific-white sided dolphin, Japan
A prayer for peace in The Cove, Taiji, Japan. Photo credit: Dolphin Project