Japan Dolphin Hunt Dealt Big Blow

[G_j]

http://www.takepart.com/article/2015/04/23/dolphin-cove-hunters-dealt-blow-zoos?cmpid=tpanimals-eml-2015-04-25-cove


The world’s top zoo association suspends Japan for not stopping the Taiji dolphin slaughter.

The World Association of Zoos and Aquariums Council this week suspended the membership of the Japanese Association of Zoos and Aquariums because the organization has refused to stop the annual killing of dolphins at the cove in Taiji, Japan.

For years, animal rights activists have pressured WAZA to sanction Japanese zoos and aquariums because the Taiji hunt not only kills hundreds of dolphins each year but also fuels the captive dolphin industry. The animals captured at the cove are often sold at a premium to aquariums around the world.
...

“WAZA requires all members to adhere to policies that prohibit participating in cruel and non-selective methods of taking animals from the wild,” WAZA said in statement. “JAZA has violated the WAZA Code of Ethics and Animal Welfare. “

Since 2000, the annual hunt, which runs from September through mid-April, has caused the deaths of roughly 18,000 dolphins. Most are butchered on-site for food, despite the high mercury concentrations found dolphin meat. The youngest and cutest are spared death but sold to marine-mammal facilities in Russia, the Middle East, Latin America, the Caribbean, and East Asia. These dolphins can fetch upwards of $125,000 each.

...

The Taiji dolphin slaughter has received global condemnation over the years, including from the Caroline Kennedy, the United States ambassador to Japan. In January 2014, Kennedy tweeted, “Deeply concerned by inhumaneness of drive hunt dolphin killing. USG [U.S. government] opposes drive hunt fisheries.”

...

Despite JAZA’s suspension, it was not immediately clear whether the Japanese group will take action to end the Taiji dolphin drives and cut off the supply of live animals to aquariums, many of them in Japan.

[eppur_se_muova]

1. Finally, a little good news. Thanks for posting. nt

[Liberal_in_LA]

2. good

[dixiegrrrrl]

3. It would be wonderful if, when parents took their kids to zoos, etc

they rather loudly taught their child the truth about the captives behind the walls.
esp. at dolphin prisons.

[Beaverhausen]

4. If you haven't seen "The Cove" you should

All about this horribly cruel practice.