Dolphins captured from Taiji hunts to be exported

Plans are afoot to export eight female bottlenose dolphins captured during the traumatic Taiji dolphin drive hunts in Japan to an aquarium in Dalian, China.

Recently, plans have been uncovered regarding the export of eight wild-caught bottlenose dolphins. The eight female dolphins were caught during the brutal Taiji dolphin drive hunts which take place in Japan every year, where many dolphins are slaughtered or picked out for use in aquaria. Seven of the dolphins were caught in February of this year and one was captured in January 2004.

Since being removed from the ocean, the dolphins have been situated in the Taiji Whale Museum where, in one year, (January through December 2005) six bottlenose dolphins, one short-finned pilot whale, and one dolphin/hybrid died. Taiji Town bought the eight bottlenose dolphins to be exported from the local Fishing Co-operative for significantly less than they are selling them on to China for. In fact, the $375,000 China is paying for the dolphins is nearly seven times higher than the amount Taiji Town paid the fishermen.

Similarly last year, another eight dolphins were caught in the hunt and transferred from Taiji Town to Dalian in China, this time for approximately US$400,000. Again a figure which was significantly higher than the local fishermen received.

The reason given for the transfer of the most recent dolphin export to Dalian in China is "academic exchange".

We need to prevent this trade in dolphins. Putting a stop to this type of trade will in turn end the need for the cruel hunt during which dolphins suffer the extreme trauma of being rounded up with nets whilst members of their family pod are brutally slaughtered around them. Many of these animals die of shock before they can be killed or lifted from the blood-red waters.

Click here for more information on the drive hunts

Take Action! Please help stop the export of Taiji Dolphins

Taiji Town Japan is again planning to sell dolphins from the brutal "drive hunt" to China. Please write a polite letter to the addresses below in support of ending the brutal dolphin drive hunts and preventing the export of the 8 dolphins captured in the hunt.

Points to raise in your letter:

1. The sale of the eight dolphins is not an academic/scientific exchange, but to get profit from wild animals to fund the Taiji Whale Museum and allow the dolphin slaughter to continue for meat.

2. All the dolphins Taiji sells to aquariums were captured through the method of very cruel drive hunts.

3. The Elsa Nature Conservancy of Japan requested the Japanese Association of Zoos and Aquariums (JAZA) to stop its member from buying or selling dolphins. Please support our activities to put pressure on JAZA to stop the cruel hunt. As you know WAZA (World Association of Zoos and Aquariums) warned its members not to purchase dolphins from the drive hunt. JAZA is a member of WAZA, and Taiji Whale Museum is a member of JAZA.

4. Many dolphins died in Taiji Whale Museum: In one year (January through December 2005) six bottlenose dolphins, one short-finned pilot whale, and one dolphin/hybrid died. Two false killer whales disappeared in January, this year and are still 'missing'.

In order to carry out the trade, Taiji Town has to obtain an export permit. This gives us a little time to object to the trade, but your email or letter can help this campaign:

Please write to:

Mr Kazutaka Sangen
Mayor of Taiji
email or fax 00 81 735 59 2884

Mr. Toshihiro Nikai
Minister of Economy, Trade, and Industry
email or fax 00 81 335 01 6942

Mr. Teruyuki Komiya & Mr. Ken-ichi Kitamura
Japanese Association of Zoos and Aquariums
email or fax 00 81 338 37 1231


Please also send the Marine Connection copies of any replies you receive to: email or fax +44 (0) 20 7409 2133. Thank you.