By Kirsten Massebeau
Picture Provided by Martyn Stewart
The Cove Guardians, and Cove Monitors just reported a pod of Risso dolphins with a new baby were slaughtered after being brutally driven into the famous blood cove in Taiji, Japan. A pod, a family, a baby with a life ahead all dead. The baby in the photo above swims in the blood of his or her family as they wait to die. The killers have wiped out their life story and tradition forever. It is hard to imagine how these men, can commit such violence against such gentle beings.
The killers of Taiji have used every means possible to keep watchful eyes out. They have built fences, and brought in 100’s of police officers to hide their brutal acts of shame. They say they have a right to murder the dolphins as they travel by the Taiji coastlines. For them the scientific discoveries recognizing dolphins as self aware sentient beings means nothing. The blood they wade through as they kill, the cries of a baby dying seem to have no effect on their callous demeanors. But what does make them angry is for the world to see who they are and what they have done.
Thanks to Martyn Stewart we can make the dolphin hunters worst nightmare a reality. They have provided us with pictures for the world to see. This pod will not be forgotten. Sadly, Taiji a beautiful town and coastline with so much to offer will always be remembered as the Auschwitz for dolphins, and the dolphin hunters themselves will remembered as dishonorable murders. Unfortunately any hope of saving their families honor is long gone with the blood of the dolphins that have died in the Cove.
Photo Provided by Martyn Stewart
Photo provided by Martyn Stewart
Photo provided by Martyn Stewart
Photo Provided by Martyn Stewart
Photo provided by Martyn Stewart The Cove Red with the Blood of Innocence
A cove that might be beautiful runs red with the blood of innocent dolphins tonight. Please speak out and take action! Help us to save the most intelligent beings on the planet. ET swims in our oceans! We must fight to save the dolphins of Taiji before it is too late!
Follow any of the links provided and join the movement to save the Dolphins of Taiji before it is too late. Together we can make a difference let our voices be heard!
http://www.savejapandolphins.org/
http://www.seashepherd.org/cove-guardians/
http://savemistythedolphin.blogspot.com/
We are fighting for the people of the sea!
Champions for Cetaceans 
Taiji you are being watched very closely.You are being exposed to the world more and more each day.So look out Taiji you have a huge fight on your hands!!!!!
I am so glad Taiji’s dirty secret is out. Now i’m finding out Taiji’s children are upset of the dolphin slaughter. They can’t believe thier parents accept this. Elizabeth Batt had said the children is what gone to save the dolphins. Ric Obarry always said the japanese people have the power to stop this. Mr. Nakahira a local there said if Taiji people want thier peaceful lives back they need to listen to the children. For the dolphin’s sake lets get a dialogue to start and end this once and for all. I defintely have a good feeling about this cove shutting down. Let’s all pray when 9/01/2012 comes around the dolphin hunt is over FOR GOOD!!
Elizabeth is so right. The children will end it. Eating dolphin and whale is mostly practiced by the older generation.
Is it true Futo is gone back to dolphin hunting? Please reply back when you can.
@Kirsten Massebeau: Will Sad and Lonely ever be released from that tiny tank? It’s heartbreakin to see these poor creatures in a depressed state like that. What pisses me off even more is not only the dolphins are suffering it’s the activists who also get upset. You could just see the pain on Ric O’barry’s face. It’s just as cruel the people it’s affecting than the killing itself. I hope to God these horrible men we call humans pay. I believe in my heart that one day they will. We may not see it but it will happen. God works in strange and mysterious ways. The money they made off of these defenseless creatures should go towards hospital bills on them and thier love ones. Something’s got to give here,this insane cruelty cannot go on. Let’s all pray by the time 9/01/2012 comes around this hunt is over. I can’t take it to much longer and i’m not even in Taiji. I refuse to watch the videos of the slaughter, reading about it is troublesom enough, it’s more then i could handle. I love Ric and all other activists for the tremedous job you guys/gals are doing. GOD BLESS THE ACTIVISTS AND DOLPHINS THAT WILL CONTINUE TO DIE INTO THE EVIL HANDS OF TAIJI!!!
I watched a footage the days at the cove,the activists filming the slaughter. Thier was a scene where dolphins were in a boat still alive. The fishermen were tryin to cover them with a tarp. One dolphin wag it’s tail up and the sense that i got from that is this. The dolphin knew it was going to die, it wave it’s tail to the activist sayin DON’T EVER GIVE UP ON US, I WILL DIE SO OTHER DOLPHINS COULD BE SAVED. DON’T WORRY ABOUT ME I’M AT PEACE NOW. KEEP FIGHTING YOUR ALL DOING A GREAT JOB. I can’t stop crying while typing this. The film Blessings of the sea gave me a glitter of hope that this will end one day.TOGETHER WE CAN ALL MAKE A DIFFERENCE. So tell me what you think of all this. Do you feel the same way that i do?
@Kirsten Massebeau: Thank you so much for that footage Whales Blessings of the sea. Sea Shepherd, Cove Guardians thank you for standing up to those clowns. And yes i do agree however this ends in Taiji we must NEVER EVER GIVE UP ON THE DOLPHINS!! They are defintely feelin the heat. That film gave me a glimmer of hope. With persistence, pressure and awareness i sense this evil cove will shut down one day. These intelligent beings suffered to long in the evil hands of Taiji. It’s time we repay them back with love and protection. One question i have what year was this film taken and who was the person filming it? You guys/gals are doing a great job our efforts will pay off eventually. I will continue to send donations.GOD BLESS THE ACTIVISTS AND THE DOLPHINS THAT WILL CONTINUE TO DIE INTO THE EVIL HANDS OF TAIJI!!!
To all americans: Don’t buy a ticket for any dolphin/whale show or swim with dolphins programs. This is the reason why dolphins are being slaughtered and kept in capitivity for a life of misery. Watch The Cove movie, youtube.com/thecove on line for free. Spread the word around to friends,family etc.Send donations if you could afford to. These precious creatures derserve our protection,we have to fight till the very end. They suffered enough, now it’s our turn to repay them back. GOD BLESS THE DOLPHINS THAT DIED AND WILL CONTINUE TO DIE INTO THE EVIL HANDS OF TAIJI!!!
@Kirsten Massebeau: I want to help Mr. Ishii but i don’t want a shirt. Is there another way i could donate? Please reply back.
@Stephen Hambrick: Thank you for replyin back. Do you think this slaughter will ever end in Taiji? And when will this cove be shut down?? Please reply back.
Hi Diane, It is actually Kirsten Massebeau own of Champions. I don’t know when the Cove will be shut down. Just today a pod of Bottlenose Dolphins was captured. Today some were selected for captivity and the rest of the pod was slaughtered. Although, the slaughter continues each day more people raise their voices in opposition to the cruel and barbaric hunt. Please join us on Twitter with hashtag #tweet4taiji and on Facebook I can recommend a page called, “Save Misty the Dolphin and of course there is Save Japan Dolphins.org and Sea Shepherds.org.
I just gave another donation. I can’t get these dolphins out of my head, those adorable faces keep poppin in my head. It’s heartbreakin what Taiji is doing to them. How can a human be so cruel?? Keep up the good work and lets never give up on these creatures of the sea. The dolphins deserve our protection, and we the people can make a difference. Taiji is feeling the heat right now, so all the more reason we have to keep fighting to the end. The dolphins deserve it. GOD BLESS THE ACTIVISTS AND THE DOLPHINS THAT WILL CONTINUE TO DIE INTO THE EVIL HANDS OF TAIJI!!!
@Kirsten Massebeau: Is Futo Japan as of now doing dolphin drive hunts? I read Mr. Ishii’s story a fasnciting story, he’s also one of my heroes. I would like to help him but i don’t want to buy a shirt please advise me how i could do that. Please reply back. Thank You.
Hi Diane,
Right now they are not driving dolphins in Futo. They stopped because the external pressure but apparently they are hoping to get it going again. I do believe there is some dolphin hunting going on there out at sea but not in a Cove as they had done since 1999.
TAIJI YOU DO NOT OWN THESE DOLPHINS!! They belong in the ocean running free. You EXPLOIT, DISREPECT,SLAUGHTER AND EAT THEM. You fisherman and trainers and YOU PRIVATE SPACE will pay,not man’s justice GOD’S JUSTICE!! Dolphins are GOD’S CREATURES ALSO. He speaks through people. So as long you keep doing your cowardly acts to these defenseless creatures we are going to continueto expose you. And we will not stop until this BRUTAL CRUELTY STOPS!!!
I cant wait till the day comes i turn on my computer and it saids: THE DOLPHIN SLAUGHTER ENDED IN TAIJI. That will be the happiest day of my life. To all you activist keep up the good work and lets keep fightin for these poor souls.
To Kimura: Taiji does not own these dolphins. They capture them in a brutal manner. They kill the whole pod including the calf. The mother of this calf is self aware of whats gone on and tears run down her face. What could be more cruel than that? Do your homework girl before posted a comment. Or is it that maybe you dont like animals? These men are cowards and greedy they disrespect these beautiful creatures of the sea. The trainers even disrespect them over in Taiji. They consider the dolphins PESTS!! What IGNORANCE!! They were told by thier government that the dolphins eat to much fish. ITS MORallyWRONG!! Just cause its legal does not make it right. So do some reasearch before commening.
I have a question The fisherman go to any lengths to hide the brutallyof the slaughter. Do they feel what thier doing is wrong, or are they ashame of what thier doing OR WHAT?? Could somebody please reply back to me. If they knew that what thier doing is okay, WHY HIDE IT??
I am prayin every day for these poor defenseless creatures. If thats the only job these fisherman could get, what does that tell you about them. Obiviously thier uneducated, ignorant and heartless to the core. That PRIVATE SPACE comes off like a real wank job. Im just keepin the faith that one day this will end. Unfortunalty it wont happen overnite. Change is hard and it takes time. Thats why we must keep fighting and never give up on these intelligent beings of the sea. GOD WILL NEVER LET US DOWN OR THE DOLPHINS!! Keep up the good work guys and gals.
Once again, Japan is just showing to the world its ruthless arrogance and total ignorance of opinions and concerns of the international community.
SHAME ON YOU JAPAN!
Thank you Kirsten 🙂 Here we go again! Such remarks as shibuya thunemitu (@konoumaru) have surfaced many times before, people using farm animals to up hold their point of view! Really! They should do the research before they comment! I am getting so tired of such ignorance! We the people of the world should have the rights too! And we made our choice to be the voices for these Dolphins since they can’t speak for them selves! So do your homework if you are going to put up an argument! shibuya thunemitu!! Taiji dolphin killers are poisoning people and the reputation of Japan! Dolphins are intelligent! Warm blooded, Loving mothers and family members! STOP KILLING THE DOLPHINS!!!! イルカを殺りくを止める!!!!!!
Thank-you Song for your great comment! The dolphins are the people of the sea not cows and chickens. And they are not pests! The dolphin hunters of Taiji bring shame on all of Japan when they are really a very small group of men. We must end the killing before it is too late.
Unfortunately, the veal industry is horrendous as well. That is why many animal rights activists are vegan or vegetarian. However, two wrongs do not make a right. Kimura. What Japan is doing is very morally wrong, even if it is legal. Just as the killing of veal calves is morally wrong.
Dolphin are not cows, chickens or pigs. In fact their brains are as big as mans, and half a fourth quadrant where man’s does not. Although the believe it is the sonar area they do not understand it’s complexity. The people of the land are killing the people of the sea. We are on the verge of communication with dolphins yet we continue to imprison them and yes, murder their families. What they are doing is not legal. The people of the sea migrating past the Taiji coastlines have a right to travel and a right to live.
ARE DOLPHINS AS SMART AS WE ARE?
“Bottlenose dolphins have convincingly demonstrated that they use a mirror to investigate their own bodies, showing that they have a sense of self (Reiss and Mrino, 2001). These findings are consistent with further evidence for self-awareness and self-monitoring in dolphins and related cognitive abilities (see Marino et al, 2008, for a review). In particular, the highly elaborated cingulate and insular cortex in cetacean brains are consistent with the idea that these animals are highly sophisticated and sensitive in the emotional and social -emotional sophistication not achieved by other animals including humans.
All of the above factors provide cause for concern over the vulnerability of whales and dolphins when placed in stressful situations, including capture, drive hunts, and the disruption of social networks. Moreover, conservation measures that do not take into account the psychological complexity of these animals will do little to alleviate suffering on an individual level. Beyond our scientific understanding, our current knowledge of cetacean brains and cognitive abilities demands we develop a new ethic of respect and coexistence with them” (Phillip Brakes and Mark Peter Simmonds, Whales and Dolphins Cognition, Culture, Conservation and Human Perceptions, Washington, DC, Earthscan, 2011).
Veal is a terrible cruel food that only no one I know would eat today. People are making more humane choices today. Veal and Foie gras are not on that list.
It is hard to “turn the other cheek” at times like these, when we know that these men know the atrocity they commit, more now than they ever known. Every day that passes, more people come to know about the family and community structure of cetaceans, of their unparalleled brain size and intelligence. And yet, yesterday found us, once again, grieving for an entire community that was wiped off the face of the earth.
I don’t mean to intellectualize this grievous hurt, but it also wipes out an entire gene pool, thereby weakening the genes of all Risso’s. Today was Risso’s.
They cannot be allowed to continue this specicide.
Thank you, Kirsten, for this piece.
Thanks for your response Mo! We need to keep the focus on those perpetrating these acts of violence and not put the blame on all of Japan. the people who are suffering so from the tsunami. Regardless of what goes on in Taiji we must continue to support and help the people of Japan still suffering. I do not advocate boycott of Japan but rather think we should shop with the :”We are Free” symbol created by Ishi Izumii ex-dolphin hunter in mind at all times.(Kirsten)
Horrific, the deafening silence. RIP beautiful dolphins. We will continue the fight
RIP to the pod, and to the baby that never had a chance to live his life. Today 12 Banger boats headed out so say your prayer that they find no dolphins today. Swim Fast* Swim Far* Swim Deep* Forever Free!
WELL SAID, AGREED AND SUPPORT
Thank you for you comment Orry:)
At least, This dolphin hunting is lawful in Japan.
Please do not infringe on the Taiji fisherman’s portrait rights.
The dolphin hunting in Taiji is sad beyond belief. There is nothing legal or right about murdering babies. We at Champions do not blame all the people of Japan but we will hold the Osana Union, FU, and all the dolphin murderers responsible for this terrible loss of life. Taiji a beautiful place is marred by this continued killing and capturing of dolphins. Taiji is the Auschwitz of the dolphin world, and the dolphin hunters are responsible. So sad that the there is so much ignorance in Taiji.. Dolphins are self aware, sentient beings with brains as large as mans. They are killing the people of the sea, and the shame hangs over all of Taiji. This is how Taiji will be remembered as city of dolphin murders who showed no mercy to the woman, children and the babies.
What about beef & veal. They are mothers and babies. You keep them in cage since they are born. That is Auschwitz. These animals are self aware, sentient beings too.
“Bottlenose dolphins have convincingly demonstrated that they use a mirror to investigate their own bodies, showing that they have a sense of self (Reiss and Mrino, 2001). These findings are consistent with further evidence for self-awareness and self-monitoring in dolphins and related cognitive abilities (see Marino et al, 2008, for a review). In particular, the highly elaborated cingulate and insular cortex in cetacean brains are consistent with the idea that these animals are highly sophisticated and sensitive in the emotional and social -emotional sophistication not achieved by other animals including humans.
All of the above factors provide cause for concern over the vulnerability of whales and dolphins when placed in stressful situations, including capture, drive hunts, and the disruption of social networks. Moreover, conservation measures that do not take into account the psychological complexity of these animals will do little to alleviate suffering on an individual level. Beyond our scientific understanding, our current knowledge of cetacean brains and cognitive abilities demands we develop a new ethic of respect and coexistence with them” (Phillip Brakes and Mark Peter Simmonds, Whales and Dolphins Cognition, Culture, Conservation and Human Perceptions, Washington, DC, Earthscan, 2011).
ITs NOT legal at all! you say what of the fishermen’s rights. well first off dolphins are not fish. and next off 90% of those they trap in these hunts are listed as endangered! so what about eh rights of our future? or are you one of the 1% of stupid idiots who only thinks of money? Who willingly poisons DRINKING water, effectively killing the world of any hope of any kind of future because everyone including morons like yourself will be dead, because of your SICK EVIL and Vile twisted way of thinking.
Until the dolphin hunters end the senseless killings of dolphins we will continue to expose them at every opportunity. You are killing the people of the sea. You are infringing on their right to live.
“Bottlenose dolphins have convincingly demonstrated that they use a mirror to investigate their own bodies, showing that they have a sense of self (Reiss and Mrino, 2001). These findings are consistent with further evidence for self-awareness and self-monitoring in dolphins and related cognitive abilities (see Marino et al, 2008, for a review). In particular, the highly elaborated cingulate and insular cortex in cetacean brains are consistent with the idea that these animals are highly sophisticated and sensitive in the emotional and social -emotional sophistication not achieved by other animals including humans.
All of the above factors provide cause for concern over the vulnerability of whales and dolphins when placed in stressful situations, including capture, drive hunts, and the disruption of social networks. Moreover, conservation measures that do not take into account the psychological complexity of these animals will do little to alleviate suffering on an individual level. Beyond our scientific understanding, our current knowledge of cetacean brains and cognitive abilities demands we develop a new ethic of respect and coexistence with them” (Phillip Brakes and Mark Peter Simmonds, Whales and Dolphins Cognition, Culture, Conservation and Human Perceptions, Washington, DC, Earthscan, 2011).
There is nothing lawful about kidnapping and killing dolphins as they migrate by Japan. The dolphin hunters, the Osana Union, and the Government of Japan have no right to go after the people of the sea. Just so you understand Shibuya Thunemitu we will not rest until you have been stopped. What I don’t understand is how you can continue your killing of these amazing being once you have looked into their eyes. Can’t you see the tears run down their cheeks as you slaughter babies in front of parents. How could you steal the Orca baby from it’s mother once you heard his cries. How can you lead a pregnant mother under you blue tarps of shame and then rip babe from her belly. How can you watch a family swim in their own blood. How can you?
So what made you think Shibuya Thunemitu is a fishermen in Taiji? It’s just the general opinion among the Japanese citizens.
Before you accuse anyone… just look at what your fellows are doing. Killing billions of animals every year, be it mothers or babies. They don’t care. You can watch on YouTube how miserable life they had. How can you allow this happen? …because these animals are dumper than dolphins? What a laughable excuse is this!?
@ Kimura,
TWO wrongs do NOT make a right. That is all that is needed to be said to you.
PARDON ME????? It was also legal in Germany in the late 30s and througout WWII to round up and slaughter Jews. Because something is legal DOES NOT make it right. There is a huge difference between legality and morality.
Taiji is the Auschwitz of the dolphin world. The Cove is where they are exterminated. Each pod, their history, their song gone forever.
I can’t help but cry for the baby. The Risso dolphins are known for their gentleness, and interest in man. This is how we repay them, by murdering their children, and babies. By making the babes swim in the blood of their parents. What a terrible time we live in for dolphins. But that is why we must keep fighting.