Groups denouncing Japan's dolphin drive hunting traditions have failed to save 250 bottlenose dolphins, trapped in Taiji Cove, from getting butchered by divers and fishermen. U.S. Ambassador to Japan, Caroline Kennedy, has also tweeted her protest, but local fishermen have labeled the hunt critics as hypocrites.
Marine conservation group Sea Shepherd Conservation Society said a group of more than 250 bottlenose dolphins has been brought into a cove in Taiji, a town in Japan's Wakayama Prefecture known for its dolphin hunting traditions. The town is apparently in the middle of the traditional dolphin hunt which takes place from September to April each year. It means 250 helpless dolphins who are currently trapped in the cove, will be butchered by the fishermen, a move that U.S. Ambassador to Japan, Caroline Kennedy hopes to prevent. However, it might be too little, too late.
"Five separate pods of Bottlenose dolphins were driven into Taiji's infamous killing cove yesterday and held overnight. This now massive pod of more than 250 dolphins includes babies and juveniles, including a rare albino calf who has been clinging as closely as possible to his or her mother in the stress and panic of the drive hunt," reported the conservation group on its website.
Sea Shepherd also live streamed the event and posted updates on Twitter describing what was happening in the trapping cove. "Killers continue to ruthlessly wrap bottlenose dolphins into nets and drag them to the shore for selection," the group tweeted. "Killers and trainers tore half of the pod apart today, and will finish tomorrow," it said in another update.
Conservationists have been calling on Japan to put a stop on the annual drive hunting tradition but the Japanese have defended it saying it is their local custom that dates back many centuries. "We've got our lives. We can't simply nod (to protests) and end centuries of our tradition... If you want to talk about cruelty, you couldn't eat cows, pigs or any other living creatures," a fishing industry official said.
Groups denouncing the practice, however, have found an ally in Caroline Kennedy. Kennedy, who took the post as U.S. ambassador to Japan last year, expressed her concerns over the controversial hunt on Twitter. "Deeply concerned by inhumaneness of drive hunt dolphin killing, USG (US Government) opposes drive hunt fisheries," she said Friday, prompting support from other celebrities.
Deeply concerned by inhumaneness of drive hunt dolphin killing. USG opposes drive hunt fisheries.
— キャロライン・ケネディ駐日米国大使 (@CarolineKennedy) January 18, 2014
"You could be a world hero if you can put pressure to stop the cruel slaughter in Taiji," tweeted former Guns N' Roses drummer Matt Sorum to Kennedy. "HUNDREDS of DOLPHINS awaiting SLAUGHTER in #THECOVE ... JAPAN, STOP THIS HORROR," actress Kirstie Alley also tweeted.
However, the voices of protests came too little, too late, as the annual dolphin hunt was launched as planned on Monday. Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told a press conference that the fishermen carried out the hunt in accordance with local laws. "Dolphin fishing is a form of traditional fishing in our country," Suga said. "We will explain Japan's position to the American side."
The local fishermen have also laughed off the protest, calling the critics hypocrites. Taiji Cove was the subject of the Academy Award-winning 2009 film 'The Cove.'
