Again the Cove Runs Red

By Leah Lemieux
Cove Monitor
Save Japan Dolphins
Earth Island Institute

The stars were still shining and dawn but a faint red streak on the eastern horizon when Ric O'Barry and the Save Japan Dolphins Team headed out to the Cove this morning, streaming live for supporters tuning in from around the world.

Real time, we watched the 12 banger boats heading out to hunt dolphins.  There was an ominous feeling in the air, and it did not come as a surprise when the hunters boats soon returned, driving a pod of terrified dolphins before them towards Taiji's deadly shoreline.

To watch Ric’s video live from Taiji (and past broadcasts), go to:

 

Leah's video from today:

 

Although Ric has witnessed this distressing scene so many many times before over the years, the feelings of horror never seem to dim, watching as the frightened dolphin family leap gracefully from the waves, trying desperately to outrun the merciless hunters.  We could soon see it was a pod of just over a dozen beautiful striped dolphins being inevitably pushed closer and closer into the killing Cove.  Once the nets were deployed sealing them in, there was no more hope for the poor creatures.

This was not a large pod, yet it seemed the hunters were not very organized today.  Many dolphins hit the nets and became tangled, while others were dragged by their tails beneath the tarps to be stabbed to death out of sight.  Though the hunters try to hide everything they can, a condemning cloud of bloody red water began to issue from beneath the tarps as the trapped dolphins thrashed in their death throes.

Always, our hearts go out to the suffering of the dolphins and the helplessness that we are unable to stop the killing directly.  But we can see in the faces of the Japanese people around us, more and more of whom are being drawn to witness the spectacle, that this cruel scene is disturbing to them as well.  And of course, at the end of it all, the poisoned toxic dolphin meat will be sold to unsuspecting citizens who trust that the product is safe.

Whether one regards the Taiji situation as an issue of animal welfare or human heath, it is certainly a tragedy any way you look at it.  But we know our presence here continues to remind the hunters and their accomplices, the town officials, that the world is watching! 

Please continue joining us on the live stream and consider supporting our work to help save the dolphins of Japan.

 

Photos by Leah Lemieux www.RekindlingTheWaters.com.