Report from Taiji, May 4: Sneaky Bastards
by Sea Shepherd Conservation Society
The Taiji Town officials would have us believe that they are being
magnanimous by foregoing their spring whale hunt in order to send their
two coastal whaling vessels to help out their brethren in the north.
What a load of crap.
Dead baby
While it may be true that their boats are up north, we are hearing
reports that some sort of whale was killed in Taiji Town yesterday and
today the molesters drove a pod of (possible) pilot whales into the
cove. After a big show in late February of removing the banger poles
and taking down the veil of tarps, the poles and tarps are back. When I
showed up at the cove this afternoon the molesters went into a frenzied
panic and began setting up lights and adding extra nets around the
corralled cetaceans.
I estimate there are at least 50 and likely many more in the nets.
All the preparations are in place for an early morning slaughter and a
baby has already died. Perhaps it died from exhaustion or got tangled
in the net enclosure.
video
These so called men are sick individuals. Has there not been enough
death and destruction in these islands over the past few weeks? Let’s
not forget about all of the highly radioactive water that is continuing
to be pumped into the ocean. Not only are whales and dolphins
contaminated with mercury, but now there is the threat of radiation too.
The officials claim they have a “season” on pilot whales that goes through the end of May. How convenient is that?
Today was a holiday in Japan. The weather in Taiji was gorgeous.
There were overflow crowds at the whale museum and children played in
the gravel at water’s edge in the cove. Meanwhile, an entire family
unit of wild and grand creatures with complex social behaviors and
intelligence far beyond that of humans was being held captive and
awaiting death just yards away. There is something seriously wrong with
this picture.
For the Oceans,
Scott West
 |
 |
Captured pilot whales
|
 Gates of Hell |
 Molesters setting lights |
