Dolphin slaughtered in Japan - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

MonarC · 11-04-2003, 01:12 PM

STEVE KRAVITZ
STAFF REPORTER

A Canadian photographer describes the slaughter of dolphins for food in Japan as "shocking" and "surreal."

Brooke McDonald was volunteering with the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society when she took the photos in Taiji, Japan, three weeks ago.

The controversial anti-whaling group released the images of bloodstained inlets and speared dolphins in a bid to embarrass the Japanese government into stopping the hunt.

The hunt, locals say, has been part of Taiji's culture for at least 400 years.

Using nets and sonar to confuse the animals, fishermen corral pods of striped dolphins into sheltered bays. They are then speared before being hauled aboard small boats.

McDonald, 29, and her British colleague, cameraman Morgan Whorwood, spent five nights hiding in the woods above one of the Taiji bays, waiting for their chance to photograph the hunt in which 60 dolphins were killed on Oct. 6.

"It was the most shocking thing I've ever seen in my life," McDonald, a native of Vancouver, said yesterday in a telephone interview from Britain.

The pair spent 20 minutes taking pictures and shooting video before fishermen spotted them. Following a scuffle, the pair used a radio to call for police for help and ended up arrested.

Worried their film might be seized, McDonald hid eight rolls in her long underwear, and Whorwood stashed a videotape in the cliffface for later retrieval.

McDonald said that she, Whorwood and a third Sea Shepherd activist were fingerprinted and photographed before being released after nine hours. They were not charged.

McDonald then had her film developed in a lab next to the police station. When McDonald she saw the results she thought the pictures were "surreal."

"They really did represent very well what we'd seen with our own eyes that day. I just experienced the same shock all over again" looking at the processed photos, she said.

"And that colour is 100 per cent accurate and true," McDonald said. "It was just as horrifying as it looks. It truly is the same most unnatural colour I have ever seen. It was one of the most deep crimson reds I had ever seen — and to realize that it came from a living organic being was shocking."

Associated Press photo editor Chikako Yatabe told the Star from Tokyo that she had compared McDonald's photos to video of the hunt in Taiji and the colour is realistic.

Hunting dolphins is legal in Japan, and it is not banned by the International Whaling Commission. Aware of the potential for adverse publicity, the local government has passed a law blocking access to the cliffs above the bay to prevent people from witnessing the hunt, McDonald said.

Requests for comment from town officials were denied, Associated Press said from Tokyo. A fisherman's union representative, who demanded anonymity, told AP the hunt is conducted as humanely as possible.

"The Japanese government has been very sensitive about this and they told fishermen they didn't want anybody filming what they're doing," said Sea Shepherd founder Paul Watson, who was born in New Brunswick.

Source: Toronto Star

-------------------------

OH MY GOD this makes me so sick.

I love Dolphins. This should be against the law! It's animal cruelty

MonarC · 11-04-2003, 01:18 PM

does anyone know of a dolphin charity or group that fights for the rights of dolphins? Like ASPCA or Humane Society for cats? This really made me sick when I read it. Something should be done! Dolphins are special.

*Pleasant Tomorrow* · 11-04-2003, 02:33 PM

That's awful

Dolphins are really smart animals that don't deserve that. People really suck.

MandieR1980 · 11-04-2003, 10:32 PM

Oh hell no! As someone who loves dolphins that just freakin pisses me off! Who the hell do people think they are?! I'd like to go slaughter THEM

David · 11-04-2003, 10:38 PM

WHAT!!! Thats AWFUL!. I actually swam/rode on a dolphin before, and its just soooo nice. They're like swimming puppies. They're 1smart 2friendly 3fun. Why would anyone want to slaughter them!

InspectorExstead · 11-05-2003, 02:34 AM

omg. that's just sick. dolphins are my favorite sea animals (after doing a 12 page report on them for bio) and i've gotten to meet and greet with them many times (thanks to sea world). that's really sad and disgusting that anyone would want to harm them.

Crimson and Clover · 11-05-2003, 02:42 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by MonarC
does anyone know of a dolphin charity or group that fights for the rights of dolphins? Like ASPCA or Humane Society for cats? This really made me sick when I read it. Something should be done! Dolphins are special.

you could try http://www.bluevoice.org/dolphin/save.html

animalcrackers · 11-05-2003, 08:26 AM

"If all the beasts were gone,
man would die from loneliness of spirit,
for whatever happens to the beast,
happens to the man.

All things are connected.
Whatever befalls the earth,
befalls the sons of earth."

Chief Seathl

How sad that people could do such acts. People are getting paid alot of money to kill bears and take out their gallbladders and sending them to Asian countries for medicinal purposes. That just makes me so upset.

MonarC · 11-05-2003, 04:53 PM

yes it's very sad.

11-04-2003, 01:12 PM	#1
MonarC The truth will set you free Forum Fanatic Join Date: Dec 05, 2002 Location: 3rd Stone From The Sun Posts: 9,525	60 Dolphins slaughtered in Japan STEVE KRAVITZ STAFF REPORTER A Canadian photographer describes the slaughter of dolphins for food in Japan as "shocking" and "surreal." Brooke McDonald was volunteering with the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society when she took the photos in Taiji, Japan, three weeks ago. The controversial anti-whaling group released the images of bloodstained inlets and speared dolphins in a bid to embarrass the Japanese government into stopping the hunt. The hunt, locals say, has been part of Taiji's culture for at least 400 years. Using nets and sonar to confuse the animals, fishermen corral pods of striped dolphins into sheltered bays. They are then speared before being hauled aboard small boats. McDonald, 29, and her British colleague, cameraman Morgan Whorwood, spent five nights hiding in the woods above one of the Taiji bays, waiting for their chance to photograph the hunt in which 60 dolphins were killed on Oct. 6. "It was the most shocking thing I've ever seen in my life," McDonald, a native of Vancouver, said yesterday in a telephone interview from Britain. The pair spent 20 minutes taking pictures and shooting video before fishermen spotted them. Following a scuffle, the pair used a radio to call for police for help and ended up arrested. Worried their film might be seized, McDonald hid eight rolls in her long underwear, and Whorwood stashed a videotape in the cliffface for later retrieval. McDonald said that she, Whorwood and a third Sea Shepherd activist were fingerprinted and photographed before being released after nine hours. They were not charged. McDonald then had her film developed in a lab next to the police station. When McDonald she saw the results she thought the pictures were "surreal." "They really did represent very well what we'd seen with our own eyes that day. I just experienced the same shock all over again" looking at the processed photos, she said. "And that colour is 100 per cent accurate and true," McDonald said. "It was just as horrifying as it looks. It truly is the same most unnatural colour I have ever seen. It was one of the most deep crimson reds I had ever seen — and to realize that it came from a living organic being was shocking." Associated Press photo editor Chikako Yatabe told the Star from Tokyo that she had compared McDonald's photos to video of the hunt in Taiji and the colour is realistic. Hunting dolphins is legal in Japan, and it is not banned by the International Whaling Commission. Aware of the potential for adverse publicity, the local government has passed a law blocking access to the cliffs above the bay to prevent people from witnessing the hunt, McDonald said. Requests for comment from town officials were denied, Associated Press said from Tokyo. A fisherman's union representative, who demanded anonymity, told AP the hunt is conducted as humanely as possible. "The Japanese government has been very sensitive about this and they told fishermen they didn't want anybody filming what they're doing," said Sea Shepherd founder Paul Watson, who was born in New Brunswick. Source: Toronto Star ------------------------- OH MY GOD this makes me so sick. I love Dolphins. This should be against the law! It's animal cruelty
	Last edited by MonarC; 11-04-2003 at 02:27 PM.

11-04-2003, 01:18 PM	#2
MonarC The truth will set you free Forum Fanatic Join Date: Dec 05, 2002 Location: 3rd Stone From The Sun Posts: 9,525	does anyone know of a dolphin charity or group that fights for the rights of dolphins? Like ASPCA or Humane Society for cats? This really made me sick when I read it. Something should be done! Dolphins are special. Attached Images

11-04-2003, 02:33 PM	#3
Pleasant Tomorrow Member Forum Addict Join Date: Feb 19, 2003 Location: New York Posts: 69,525	That's awful Dolphins are really smart animals that don't deserve that. People really suck.
	__________________ my name is ashlee Welcome! Everything is fine.

11-04-2003, 10:32 PM	#4
MandieR1980 Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 03, 2001 Location: East Taunton, Massachusetts Posts: 2,635	Oh hell no Oh hell no! As someone who loves dolphins that just freakin pisses me off! Who the hell do people think they are?! I'd like to go slaughter THEM
	__________________ Mandie myspace.com/mlr930

11-04-2003, 10:38 PM	#5
David mcphee. Forum Superstar Join Date: Jan 30, 2003 Location: jacksonville, FL. Posts: 28,115	WHAT!!! Thats AWFUL!. I actually swam/rode on a dolphin before, and its just soooo nice. They're like swimming puppies. They're 1smart 2friendly 3fun. Why would anyone want to slaughter them!
	__________________ v. 39 - katharine and chris elliott, you rock.

11-05-2003, 02:34 AM	#6
InspectorExstead Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Oct 29, 2001 Location: The Golden State Posts: 12,902	omg. that's just sick. dolphins are my favorite sea animals (after doing a 12 page report on them for bio) and i've gotten to meet and greet with them many times (thanks to sea world). that's really sad and disgusting that anyone would want to harm them.
	__________________ They killed my sister because she asked: "Where is my vote?" http://sosiran.com/ http://tapeshhd.com/index.php

11-05-2003, 08:26 AM	#8
animalcrackers Member Senior Member Join Date: Jul 24, 2002 Location: The Backseat Of Fonzie's Bike Posts: 1,603	"If all the beasts were gone, man would die from loneliness of spirit, for whatever happens to the beast, happens to the man. All things are connected. Whatever befalls the earth, befalls the sons of earth." Chief Seathl How sad that people could do such acts. People are getting paid alot of money to kill bears and take out their gallbladders and sending them to Asian countries for medicinal purposes. That just makes me so upset.

11-05-2003, 04:53 PM	#9
MonarC The truth will set you free Forum Fanatic Join Date: Dec 05, 2002 Location: 3rd Stone From The Sun Posts: 9,525	yes it's very sad.