Taiji in Photos: The Faces of Taiji

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 dolphin drive, Taiji, Japan

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

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.

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.

Captive Risso’s dolphin begging for a dead fish meal. Photo credit: Dolphin Project

Pilot whales huddle together, searching for a way to escape.

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.

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

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

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.

Captive bottlenose dolphin, Taiji Whale Museum. Photo credit: Dolphin Project

The face of non-human sentience: captive Pacific-white sided dolphin, Japan

The face of non-human sentience: captive Pacific-white sided dolphin, Japan

A prayer for peace in The Cove, Taiji, Japan

A prayer for peace in The Cove, Taiji, Japan. Photo credit: Dolphin Project

Ric O'Barry's Dolphin Project is registered as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and all donations are tax-deductible as authorized by law.

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