Taiji’s annual dolphin hunt begins
News
The horrifying annual dolphin hunt in Taiji, Japan, has started once again, continuing for the next six months. Hundreds of dolphins will be brutally slaughtered or sold into a life of captivity to entertain tourists.
Every September, hundreds of small whales and dolphins will be driven into a cove in Taiji, Japan where they face two grim fates: being slaughtered for their meat or caught to be sold to dolphin entertainment venues worldwide.
While some dolphins are killed for food, the demand for dolphin meat in Japan is rapdily declining. In fact, it’s become so low that it now registers as zero in official statistics. So, why does this hunt continue?
Our report, “Waves of Profit: How the Tourism Industry Profits from the Taiji Dolphin Hunts" reveals that tourism is the main profit driver of these cruel hunts and global travel companies selling tickets to these venues are profiting from this suffering.
While dolphin meat brings in some revenue, the real profit lies in live dolphins, with a fully trained one selling for up to US$150,000 to international venues.
This unnecessary and cruel hunt must end.
We are keeping the pressure on travel giants who are fuelling these hunts, ensuring they no longer profit from this cruelty.
Tell travel companies to stop fueling this cruelty
GetYourGuide is an international online travel company selling tickets to cruel tourist attractions, including venues linked to the Taiji dolphin hunts.
They are currently ramping up their presence in Canada, offering experiences that exploit wild animals for profit, such as dolphin encounters, swim with captive dolphin experiences, and dolphin shows – all of which severely harms and causes distress to the dolphins.
If you haven't yet, please take action by signing this petition demanding that GetYourGuide stop supporting the brutal capture and trade of dolphins.
Banner photo: Robert Gilhooly