| Pressure mounts in Taiji as efforts rapidly increase to | | | | "If a hundred people could be here throughout the |
| stop the annual killing of more than 26,000 dolphins. | | | | ordeal faced by these dolphins, the killing could be |
| Thousands of dolphins are captured every year in Taiji, | | | | significantly reduced, if not stopped altogether," said |
| Japan. The strongest and healthiest are shipped off to | | | | Dalton. |
| aquariums and marine parks around the world and the | | | | Although the Japanese Coast Guard has stepped up |
| rest are simply slaughtered for their meat. | | | | their response, threatening to arrest anyone who |
| Taiji has come into the media spotlight recently after a | | | | interferes with the fishermen, the slaughter has yet to |
| 2009 American documentary, The Cove, shed light on | | | | commence. |
| the annual slaughter where migrating dolphins are | | | | "Our plans will depend on the actions of the fishermen. |
| herded into a hidden cove then netted and killed by | | | | If they plan to start killing dolphins, then we will take |
| means of spears and knives. The water is stained | | | | appropriate action," Dalton said. |
| bright red from all the bloodshed. | | | | Increased pressure to stop the slaughter in Taiji has |
| Ric O'Barry, lead activist in the Oscar winning film, The | | | | and will continue to negatively affect the local |
| Cove, has launched a new series, Blood Dolphins, on | | | | economy until the annual killing is stopped. |
| Animal Planet. | | | | "The key to saving the dolphins is for people to |
| Dolphin activists all over the world are converging on | | | | constantly be in Taiji so the slaughter is not allowed to |
| the small town including Michael Dalton of the Sea | | | | go on out of sight of cameras and witnesses," said |
| Shepherd Conservation Society. Sea Shepherd | | | | Paul Watson, captain of the Sea Shepherd vessel and |
| rescued fifteen dolphins in 2003 after cutting nets and | | | | well known for Whale Wars, a reality television series |
| releasing them back to the open ocean. | | | | on Animal Planet. |