The fourth drive of dolphins into the infamous “Cove” just happened.  An entire family pod of Rissos dolphins estimated to be between 15-20 dolphins were slaughtered for human consumption.  The numbers will be confirmed after all photographs and footage have been reviewed by those bearing witness to the hunts in Taiji, Japan.  Currently there are observers from Sea Shephered Cove Guardians & Ric O’Barry’s Dolphin Project in Taiji.

The hunt, drive and slaughter took about 6 hours and approximately 3 of those hours was spent harassing the dolphins from the start of the drive to the point of slaughter.  Dolphins were witnessed and photographed bloodied and entangled in nets.  Claims that this process is fast and painless are false.  Marine mammals in Japan are not covered by any animal welfare laws, unlike other mammals considered to be acceptable for human consumption.  The comparison between animals consumed by humans is not a valid one until they are all covered by the same animal welfare considerations and laws.  You can help the current Japanese animal welfare organizations asking for the laws to include marine mammals by signing this petition.

Although today’s hunt was exclusively about the dolphin meat trade, the money earned by the hunters for the meat trade is far less than that made by the live sales to the captive industry, and therefore the hunts themselves are mainly funded by the income off the captive marine mammal industry.  You can help make a difference by never buying a ticket to see or swim with captive dolphins.  Tanks?  No Thanks!

Blue & Red Cove Days this season as at the latest update 9/10/2015;

33 Blue Cove Days with the longest run of consecutive days at 15.

4 Red Cove Days with the longest run of consecutive days at 2.

The Taiji Dolphin Drive Hunt Seasonal Data page has been updated as at the 9th October 2015 and compares the season data, as well as the monthly data in charts for the Taiji dolphin drive hunts going back to 2011/2012 hunting season.