Japan dolphins slaughter: More than 200 dolphins to be killed at Taiji cove

Originally published on January 20, 2014

A controversial annual dolphin hunt is currently underway in Taiji cove, Southwest Japan. Local fishermen have trapped more than 200 dolphins in a bay for a fourth night and many of them are likely to be slaughtered Tuesday (January 21), according to environmental activists who have been monitoring activities in the cove.

Each year fishermen in Taiji first corral dozens of dolphins into a secluded bay. Then about 40 to 60 local fishermen work with nets to divide up the dolphin pod, initially estimated by the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society at more than 250, CNN reported.

The "prettiest" ones, without visible nicks or scars, are then selected for sale to marine parks and aquariums.

Those unsuitable for captivity are given a white mark and then moved to the killing cove.

To kill the dolphins, fishermen hammer a metal rod into their spinal cord.

"It takes up to 20 to 30 minutes for these dolphins to die, where they bleed out, suffocate or drown in the process of being dragged to the butcher house," Sea Shepherd activist Melissa Sehgal told Reuters.

Tarps are used to hide the slaughter, which will start on Tuesday, from cameras, CNN reported.

The annual hunt in Taiji has long been a source of controversy and was the topic of "The Cove", an Oscar-winning documentary denouncing the drive-hunting activities in and around the cove.

Caroline Kennedy, the United States' Ambassador to Japan, also condemned the killings on Saturday, by tweeting:

"Deeply concerned by inhumaneness of drive hunt dolphin killing. USG opposes drive hunt fisheries."

Japan has long maintained that killing dolphins is not banned under any international treaty, that dolphins are not endangered and that they need to be culled in order to protect fishing grounds.

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