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Another Rare Albino Dolphin Captured in Japan’s Cruel Dolphin Drives
http://www.care2.com/causes/another-rare-albino-dolphin-captured-in-japans-cruel-dolphin-drives.html#ixzz3KBPcg3Tr
It’s been almost a year since the plight of a rare albino bottlenose dolphin calf named Angel
made headlines after she was torn from her mother’s side and taken for
captivity during one of the dolphin drives that takes place every year
in the small coastal town of Taiji, Japan – made famous by the documentary The Cove.
Sadly for her and hundreds of others like her, these brutal drives continue, and this year has netted hunters another rare find: a second extremely rare albino.
Despite growing global outrage that continues to spread,
hunters continue to roundup entire families of dolphins, porpoises and
small whales and drive them into the infamous cove where many are either
killed or taken for captivity.
These drives start every September and run through the spring, with the quota set for the 2014-15 season allowing for 1,938 animals from seven species to be taken in the drive hunts in Taiji alone. This year’s death toll has been lower, but lower numbers have raised concerned that it’s because species are being depleted.
According to Sea Shepherd, this new albino is a Risso’s dolphin and part of the fifteenth pod of Risso’s dolphins captured in the cove this season, bringing the total number of Risso’s dolphins mercilessly killed this year to approximately 170.
Sea Shepherd’s Cove Guardians reported that hunters drove the entire family of about 16 dolphins into the cove and trapped them with nets before moving them under tarps where 11 members of the family were slaughtered.
Two dolphins were taken into captivity, including the albino, while three other calves were taken back out to sea and dumped to fend for themselves. Their advocates fear that the trauma of the drive and being left without their families leaves them little chance for survival.
Those protesting these drives are also afraid the latest albino will end up in living in misery on display like others who have been taken before and Angel, who is being kept in questionable conditions at the Taiji Whale Museum.
“It is horribly sad to see another albino dolphin taken by the killers here in Taiji. These rare, beautiful, and unique animals will spend the rest of their days confined to small tanks, where they will live out their shortened lives performing tricks for food,” said Karen Hagen, the Cove Guardian’s Leader on the Ground.
Still, whether it’s a rare white find, or one who blends in with the others, the heartbreaking plight of each individual who has to endure the terror of a roundup, separation from their family members, death or a life sentence in a tank, is the same and each deserves advocacy on their behalf.
Unfortunately, our demand for captive dolphins at marine parks and other tourist destinations around the world hasn’t declined enough to stop the dolphin drives or other captures yet. The fact that they continue highlights the importance of avoiding places that keep dolphins and whales in captivity as many continue to argue that the profits brought in from selling live dolphins who are taken during these drives is the only thing that keeps them going.
Cynthia Hernandez, Cove Monitor for the Dolphin Project who witnessed the albino’s capture and latest bloodbath, writes:
With more victories for cetaceans piling up — including cities recognizing their right to live free, and a recent resolution from the UN encouraging nations to end live captures of whales and dolphins for commercial use or public display and encouraging
an end to international transport of live cetaceans — it looks like the
tide is continuing to turn in favor of respecting these incredible
species and their place in the ocean.
For more information on ways to help protect whales and dolphins visit the Dolphin Project, Sea Shepherd’s campaign Operation Infinite Patience and Whale and Dolphin Conservation.
Sadly for her and hundreds of others like her, these brutal drives continue, and this year has netted hunters another rare find: a second extremely rare albino.
Awaiting their fate netted in the cove, the pod and albino Risso’s dolphin huddle close together. Credit: Sea Shepherd Conservation Society.
These drives start every September and run through the spring, with the quota set for the 2014-15 season allowing for 1,938 animals from seven species to be taken in the drive hunts in Taiji alone. This year’s death toll has been lower, but lower numbers have raised concerned that it’s because species are being depleted.
According to Sea Shepherd, this new albino is a Risso’s dolphin and part of the fifteenth pod of Risso’s dolphins captured in the cove this season, bringing the total number of Risso’s dolphins mercilessly killed this year to approximately 170.
Sea Shepherd’s Cove Guardians reported that hunters drove the entire family of about 16 dolphins into the cove and trapped them with nets before moving them under tarps where 11 members of the family were slaughtered.
Two dolphins were taken into captivity, including the albino, while three other calves were taken back out to sea and dumped to fend for themselves. Their advocates fear that the trauma of the drive and being left without their families leaves them little chance for survival.
Those protesting these drives are also afraid the latest albino will end up in living in misery on display like others who have been taken before and Angel, who is being kept in questionable conditions at the Taiji Whale Museum.
“It is horribly sad to see another albino dolphin taken by the killers here in Taiji. These rare, beautiful, and unique animals will spend the rest of their days confined to small tanks, where they will live out their shortened lives performing tricks for food,” said Karen Hagen, the Cove Guardian’s Leader on the Ground.
Still, whether it’s a rare white find, or one who blends in with the others, the heartbreaking plight of each individual who has to endure the terror of a roundup, separation from their family members, death or a life sentence in a tank, is the same and each deserves advocacy on their behalf.
Unfortunately, our demand for captive dolphins at marine parks and other tourist destinations around the world hasn’t declined enough to stop the dolphin drives or other captures yet. The fact that they continue highlights the importance of avoiding places that keep dolphins and whales in captivity as many continue to argue that the profits brought in from selling live dolphins who are taken during these drives is the only thing that keeps them going.
Cynthia Hernandez, Cove Monitor for the Dolphin Project who witnessed the albino’s capture and latest bloodbath, writes:
Please, don’t buy a ticket to any
facility that holds captive dolphins. And, do your part to spread the
word to others. The word IS getting out – the “Blackfish Effect” is real
– so let’s keep the momentum going and shut down the global trade
of captive dolphins. Maybe then, the dolphins that pass through the
waters of Taiji will have the peace and safety that they deserve.
For more information on ways to help protect whales and dolphins visit the Dolphin Project, Sea Shepherd’s campaign Operation Infinite Patience and Whale and Dolphin Conservation.
Read more: http://www.care2.com/causes/another-rare-albino-dolphin-captured-in-japans-cruel-dolphin-drives.html#ixzz3KBztNAAQ
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