taiji dolphin drives News

Brussels - On June 28, in the European Union's de facto capital, cetacean advocates are planning a demonstration to request the complete ban of all dolphin shows in the EU. In attendance will be former dolphin trainer -- turned activist, Ric O'Barry.

Las Vegas - This September, the International Marine Animal Trainers Association (IMATA) will meet in Las Vegas for their annual conference. What won't be on their schedule -- but should be, is a discussion about one of the largest dolphin slaughters on the planet.

Born into a family of dolphin hunters in Futo, Japan, Izumi Ishii was expected to follow in his father's footsteps. As the dutiful son, he did what was best for his family, but for him, the dolphins' cries were simply too loud.

Elephants killed off in their thousands and polar bears requiring sustenance intervention hit the news this week. Species on the verge of extinction have one commonality, the need, greed and indifference of humanity.

Taiji - The number of dolphins driven into the Cove in Taiji, Japan topped 1,209 animals yesterday. Taiji town is on track to surpass figures from the previous three seasons.

Subic - Yesterday, Tim Desmond, the American CEO of Subic Bay Marine Exploratorium and overseer of Ocean Adventure in the Philippines, hauled a number of notable activists onto the carpet. Yet he failed to mention his own sordid history with cetaceans.

Taiji - For the first time this season, the number of dolphins driven into the Cove topped 1,000 animals. Meanwhile, a coastal whale was incidentally trapped in nets and butchered.

Tokyo - Recently, a newly formed Japanese grassroots group marched in protest against its country's whaling policies. It was the first open resistance from within Japan itself. Digital Journal spoke with Action for Marine Mammals' (AMM) leader, Satoshi Komiyama.

Taiji - There have been several days of bloodshed in Taiji's infamous Cove as Risso's, striped and Pacific white-sided dolphins were driven in and slaughtered. Warning: Graphic images.

Taiji - As one group goes above and beyond to save a single juvenile striped dolphin in Spain, more than 6,000 miles away in Taiji, Japan, many striped dolphins, some mothers with calves, have been brutally slaughtered in the drive hunts this season.