Update #1 – November 19, 2015, Taiji, Japan:
The terror began to unfold around 9:00 a.m., local Taiji time, when the boats started to drive a pod of pilot whales into the cove. At one point, we witnessed either two pods being driven in separately, or one pod which had split into two. One large group of dolphins was held just outside the cove while the second drive took place.
At the time of this first update, the pilot whales are
being held overnight in the cove. Lights are on, and signage is up,
stating the whales are property of the fisherman. We will be back at
4:30 a.m., local time to document the fate of these sentient creatures.
Please check back for updates.
Thank you to Dolphin Project Senior Cove Monitors Vicki Kiely and Cynthia Fernandez for their accounts in documenting this latest travesty in Taiji.
Your help in supporting our campaign in Taiji is greatly appreciated and needed. Click here to donate.
Learn more about becoming a Dolphin Project Cove Monitor.
I am shocked by the drive we witnessed today of 50 or more pilot whales. I could see them spyhopping at the nets, trying to figure out what was happening. The matriarch was swimming through the pod, checking on everyone, while babies clung to their mothers and big males swam in circles. All family members were tightly bound together for protection and comfort.” ~ Vicki Kiely, Senior Dolphin Project Cove MonitorThere is a moment during each and every drive, where we feel a glimmer of hope. Perhaps it’s just a part of the human condition, where we as individuals, as well as collectively, want to believe that the hunters won’t find a pod of dolphins. Today, we were clearly shown that this concept of “hope” isn’t just reserved for humans. The pilot whales themselves, in the midst of their terror and uncertainty, kept comforting one another, perhaps in an effort to instill hope.
The terror began to unfold around 9:00 a.m., local Taiji time, when the boats started to drive a pod of pilot whales into the cove. At one point, we witnessed either two pods being driven in separately, or one pod which had split into two. One large group of dolphins was held just outside the cove while the second drive took place.
What panic looks like. Photo credit: Dolphin Project, Vicki Kiely, Cynthia Fernandez
About 50 pilot whales were finally forced inside the cove, and at that point, we could see a large number of babies and juveniles. The pod swam tightly amongst one another, with tiny heads poking out beside the larger adults. At one point, the matriarch rolled onto her back and swam through the group, interacting with each youngster, while the large males swam around the periphery of the pod. Everyone was spyhopping and their panic and confusion was palpable.” ~ Cynthia Fernandez, Senior Dolphin Project Cove MonitorThe ropes were drawn, ensuring escape would be impossible. And then – everyone left. The day was done.
Babies, juveniles and adults awaiting their fate, Taiji, Japan. Photo credit: Dolphin Project, Vicki Kiely and Cynthia Fernandez
Thank you to Dolphin Project Senior Cove Monitors Vicki Kiely and Cynthia Fernandez for their accounts in documenting this latest travesty in Taiji.
Your help in supporting our campaign in Taiji is greatly appreciated and needed. Click here to donate.
Learn more about becoming a Dolphin Project Cove Monitor.
Ric O’Barry’s Dolphin Project is a
501(c)(3) non-profit organization in the USA (Tax ID 47-1665067), and
donations are tax-deductible.
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