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'The Cove' star says dolphin video shows cruelty

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"show how the dolphins are killed, being herded into a cove and pierced with spears as they bleed and writhe in the water."

They should invite the tourists from the aquarium to witness this.

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Just a coincidence that a dolphin/whale show, the kind of entertainment that is spread throughout the western being made of an example of animal cruelty happened to be a Japanese establishment right?

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Just a coincidence that a dolphin/whale show, the kind of entertainment that is spread throughout the western being made of an example of animal cruelty happened to be a Japanese establishment right?

Yes, it's all just a coincidence ole'boy. Just like the fact that SS only goes after Japanese whalers out of all the environmental causes they could take up.

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The Cove show the truth about what is happening and I am glad that it was made. Now people can see the truth about what is really going on in Japan.

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Ric also criticizes dolphin shows that take place in the US. It's not as if these people are ONLY attacking Japan. He picked this as his special cause because he loves dolphins- not because he hates Japan.

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almost all animal shows are cruelty to animals and the reason they are there is because there is a demand.

Haven't heard what PETA has to say about all this though they are pain-in-u-know-where for animal researchers.

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I watched the first vid liked above, and the dolphin didn't appear confused or under any form of anxiety. It took him/her two tries to get up and over the wall onto the cement. The first he got so far over, and crowd responded.

Dolphins ain't stupid, I would be surprised (although there would be no way to know) if he figured if he jumped out, the dumb humans would throw him back in again. Maybe it was the dolphins way to say F You Human!

Judging by the crowds astonished reaction, I wonder how they'd react if they saw the water bloodied by harpooned dolphins?

Seriously, what's the difference? You train a bunch of dolphins to do tricks, to please humans, and you herd a bunch of other dolphins so you can kill them, to please humans.

How would the crowd react if the dolphins did tricks and then were killed before the crowds eyes?

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So far few people seem to show interest in "The Cove" as is shown by its box office performance worldwide.

Still listed at just above 1 Mill USD(think the making cost more).

So not sure why people hype on a movie that the public has little interest in.

Could it be that people got better things to spend their money on or that they have more pressing issues in their lifes?

Yet, Sea-parks, etc make more than the movies taking every week, not much support methinks. Have failed to see reports of dropping visitor figures so far.

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Free all animals from the zoo. Not just dolphins. And all countries shut down your aqauriums. Everyone who made money as a salaried worker or an owner of the dolphin aquarium, pay that money back or whatever you think is compensation for the cruelty done in the past. Wouldn't that be fair? And stop making a public show of your good samaritanship.

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wawawasuremono;"Just a coincidence that a dolphin/whale show, the kind of entertainment that is spread throughout the western being made of an example of animal cruelty happened to be a Japanese establishment right?"

Umm NO! Considering the fact Japan has more of these parks than the US & Europe combined! & you probably do not read about all the protests held overseas, like the Miami Seaquarium, where protests are held every month! Or Sea World, were today there is a protest being held,(do not think it will rate a mention in J-media though). Maybe you remember hearing about a trainer being killed by a killer whale in the US recently? Well outrage/petitions/protests are still going regarding this to this very day, & an organised effort to see these parks shut down in the US & EU. So you think it is just Japan! NO WAY sunshine.

NationalistRE;"Yes, it's all just a coincidence ole'boy. Just like the fact that SS only goes after Japanese whalers out of all the environmental causes they could take up."

Japan puts itself in the firing line by hunting 1/2 way around the world, in a designated sanctuary, so therefore poaching illegally, & tries to lie to the rest of the world that it is 'scientific research'! Gee I wonder why we get targeted! If these hunts were carried out in our own waters, as other whaling nations do, do you really think SS would be here protesting the hunts?

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keikotokyo.

So if Japan has more marine-parks than the USA and EU combined, shouldn't they have MORE experience & expertise than a trainer from a decade old series.

So far I have failed to see ONE documentary on Discovery or Animal Planet saying bad things about Japanese sea-parks, they rather praise them. Neither have I seen ANY international press condeming them, you k now like major news-stations(CNN, FOX, BBC, etc).

If a local park in Florida has a problem that don't make it the same globally.

Same way a single incident in Japan don't make it a common prob.

Activists are just too happy to jump onto a mole-hill and make into Mt Everest, IMO.

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If these hunts were carried out in our own waters, as other whaling nations do, do you really think SS would be here protesting the hunts?

So SS is the International police who have been appointed to stop the whaling activities of anyone who is not whaling in their own waters. This news for me. Keikotokyo, please correct me if I am wrong.

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When Kuru is on the ground outside the tank, all the other dolphins come up to the side to see what is going on. They understand when another dolphin is in trouble. That's one reason why killing dolphins in full view of their podmates is a horrendous thing to do. Imagine if you had to watch every member of your family stabbed to death before the killers came and stabbed you.

Those poor dolphins. Every time they jump for the whistle they can see the open ocean just a short distance away. Adds insult to injury.

I don't think the trainers at the aquarium think they're cruel to the dolphins. I think they care a lot about them and are doing their best for them - just like Ric O'Barry used to think.

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If they care so much about dolphins, why don't they protest what's going on in their own countries? Focus locally and let Japanese do as we wish!

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i dont mind the film being shown, we all should be able to share our views. But the thing that gets me is that its all centred around japan and just japan!..theres over country that kill dolphins and whales. At the end of the day if noone gos and see these shows then they will just closed down. Simple.

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yea .. lets let all the dolphins out of the aquariums.

In fact lets let ALL the fish out of the aquariums, and while we are at it, lets just let all the animals out of the zoos.

In fact lets stop eating anything fish related, or meat related. Its "cruel" you see...

This is getting way out of control. Japan is being victimized here, and over something which is a relatively minor problem in current international relations.

Of the list of things wrong with Japan "dolphins" are not so high up on the list. I know many will disagree .. but this is just my opinion.

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Like I said before so far "The Cove" has been a flop worldwide.

People got more important and pressing issues in their lifes to care about what happens in country X or Y.

Just the zealots don't get it that the majority of the world don't give a damn yet they still claim they do.

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bubzabub;"If they care so much about dolphins, why don't they protest what's going on in their own countries? Focus locally and let Japanese do as we wish!'

First off Japan is the main supplier for captive dolphins world wide, this is were the dolphin hunters of Taiji make their money, & why they do not want to stop, not because of tradition, unless of course you can show how they used to capture dolphins & sell them around the world live centuries ago?

Zenny11;"So if Japan has more marine-parks than the USA and EU combined, shouldn't they have MORE experience & expertise than a trainer from a decade old series."

Would not someone who has spent there whole life working with these animals, both captive & in the wild have FAR more knowledge of the subject than someone in their 20's who has just been shown how to make a dolphin jump through a hoop?

"So far I have failed to see ONE documentary on Discovery or Animal Planet saying bad things about Japanese sea-parks, they rather praise them."

then check out the National Geographic documentary "When Dolphins Cry", shot in 2003, showing not only the Taiji hunts, but also Izumi Ishii, who was the head of the hunts in Futo, & how he has changed that hunt into a dolphin/whale watching industry.

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keikotokyo.

You arguments fall short. As Japanese scientistgs are in contact with overseas ones guys and gals better trained and way more experienced than "the cove" makers.

And if a 2003 Documentary was so damning why is another 7yrs later shown as the big deal.

And why did it take 7yrs to become such a big issue.

Answer is propaganda and people today care just as little as 7yrs ago. BTW, did you notice that Paul Watson is also in on "The Cove".

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I think they care a lot about them and are doing their best for them - just like Ric O'Barry used to think.

Yes, this is the crux of it. People can change for better things

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Zenny11, you may not know this but Ric O'Barry was the original dolphin trainer, & the one who all these others have learnt how to train dolphins from his methods. A man who has spent his whole life with dolphins, both captive & wild, a man who is that devoted to them rather than make money as other do he spends his time bringing the mistreatment of them to public view. & for the record many over the years have tried to bring the plight of Taiji dolphins to the attention of the world, all have been assulted & brutalized by the 'fishermen', & none have given up the fight to bring this to public view, it has just taken many times, & by many different people to get it out.

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keikotokyo.

Not doubting his achievements, but many students do exceed their teachers and excel beyond their knowledge.

Still my point is that Japanese seem to have more experience as they got the highest number of sea-parks and thus dolphins in captivity. That was what the original argument was about not the Dolphin hunt.

Plus, him being the leading authority he would have advised(atleast)the parks in japan. Not so?

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Not so Zenny11, yes Japan has more dolphin parks than any other country, but that does not make them the most experienced in the world, & quite honestly I do not know were you draw that assumption! If they were the greatest dolphin trainers them I am sure they would have a better reason for this unfortunate incident other than,"not sure why he dd it, but he is ok, that is why we put mats around the tank, to protect them when they do", therefore animals kept there have done this previously, if they were such great experts they would then treat the cause, not just put mats around the tank for when they do, would they not?

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Still my point is that Japanese seem to have more experience as they got the highest number of sea-parks and thus dolphins in captivity.

McDonald's has a great deal of experience in preparing and selling food. It would be a brave person that said their products are the highest quality.

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I would have thought a nation with a greater population, & less positions for trainers, rather than a smaller population with more positions, would create a higher degree of requirements & training from the first example, as there is more demand for higher standards. Sorry Zenny11 you asked the question.

P.S. By the way I am still waiting for your answer to the question asked of you of your statement about the two countries considering removal of SSCS registration of vessels?

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Better to eat real food than food saturated with artifical chemicals.

tertiary butylhydroquinone dimethylpolysiloxane, "an anti-foaming agent" also used in Silly Putty

I think I'll choose dolphin and whale meat over questionable McDonald's anyday.

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KeikoTokyo at 07:01 PM JST - 10th July First off Japan is the main supplier for captive dolphins world wide, >this is were the dolphin hunters of Taiji make their money,

No that's incorrect. Taiji is the biggest seller of captive dolphins within Japan, and foreign buyers do come to Taiji to buy dolphins, However the most desirable dolphin for captivity is the Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphin, which, for obvious reasons, can not be bought in Japan. Mexico is a much larger source of captive dolphins, and even the Salomon Islands is a source as the captive dolphin trade is legal in the United States.

"The commercial competition in the international dolphin industry is intense, with the United States leading the world by providing 9000 full-time jobs and an annual budget estimated to be in the region of a third of a billion dollars."

"Between 1938 and 1980, the USA took a minimum of 1500 live dolphins from the sea, and in the last ten years, Japan alone has captured 500 dolphins for various amusement parks.of a billion dollars."

http://www.iridescent-publishing.com/rtm/ch4p1.htm

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“It was playing around and jumped out by accident from the momentum,”

Oh, that's rich! So, this animal with a brain of comparable size to a human and has lived in this tank for 'X' amount of years suddenly jumps out 'by accident'? Somehow, I am more likely to believe Rick O'Barry's explanation on this one.

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Ossan;"Mexico is a much larger source of captive dolphins, and even the Salomon Islands is a source as the captive dolphin trade is legal in the United States."

Actually the Soloman Islands has stopped trading live dolphins;" Man who trained killer SeaWorld whale turns his back on dolphin trade April 14, 2010

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Caught … a dolphin intended for export.

Solomon Islands villagers and a notorious dolphin "slave trader" have agreed to stop hunting and harvesting dolphins for the lucrative international dolphin trade."

http://www.smh.com.au/environment/whale-watch/man-who-trained-killer-seaworld-whale-turns-his-back-on-dolphin-trade-20100414-scw6.html

& as for Maxico selling wild dolphins to America then they would be breaking American laws, as it is ILLEGAL to sell live dolphins in America.

"Between 1938 and 1980, the USA took a minimum of 1500 live dolphins from the sea, and in the last ten years, Japan alone has captured 500 dolphins for various amusement parks."

You will note how it stops in 1980, where laws were passed to protect wild dolphins. Now days the dolphins in shows in America are born in captivity, NOT captured from the wild.

Also for seemed to have left out the next part of the sentence?"Between 1938 and 1980, the USA took a minimum of 1500 live dolphins from the sea, and in the last ten years, Japan alone has captured 500 dolphins for various amusement parks."

So in 42 years America took 1500, yet in 10 years japan has taken over 500, so which country took more per annum, simple maths, but I guess that is why you left that part out, right?

& from the same article you posted Ossan;"Whatever efforts are deployed, the keeping of cetaceans in captivity will always pose problems because of the inherent contradiction on which it is based: the keeping in cramped conditions of creatures which are accustomed to vast open spaces."

By;cetacean specialist Professor Giorgio Pilleri, Director of the Brain Anatomy Institute of the University of Berne, Switzerland

Also says;"Dolphin circuses, like their counterparts under the big top, like to portray their animals as well-adjusted beings displaying nothing but the most natural of behaviour. But in reality, little could be more unnatural than a captive dolphin, if only because from the moment of capture, every single individual must be kept afloat by injections of synthetic vitamins, broad spectrum antibiotics, fungicides and hormones. Without them, they would live no longer than a few days, succumbing to infections and malignant parasites as stress ravages their natural immunity. Indeed, once captured and confined, most dolphins will never again escape their nightmare world of stress, insecurity and neurosis except through the merciful release of death. Apart from the devastating trauma of capture, there is the inherent stress of confinement itself, which reduces highly-evolved dolphin society into a primitive pecking order, with the stronger and more aggressive animals not only fighting each other for supremacy but also hounding the weaker ones into submission, illness or death. Besides the tyranny of their own companions, there is also the tyranny of the show-master, the stress of performing to the crowds five times a day, and rigorous training methods of food deprivation and reward which can only incite further stress and jealousy among the captives. Indeed, recent studies in the United States suggest that an inordinate number of captive dolphins are succumbing to typical stress-related illnesses such as heart attacks and gastric ulcers. It can hardly be sheer coincidence that virtually identical disorders affect millions of human beings forced to endure tedious and repetitive menial work."

So it is not just Ric O'Barry saying this, but many experts/professors who have spent lifetimes studying this.

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It was playing around and jumped out by accident from the momentum

Watch the video and it's obvious that that is sheer poppycock. Kuru tries once to get out of the pool when a trainer is standing in front of her tapping her nose, and instead of pushing her back the trainer simply skeddaddles out of the way. It almost looks as if Kuru is trying to get closer to the trainer. Then Kuru tries again, and this time succeeds, straight over in a perfect arc. It's a deliberate attempt to get out of the pool.

In the 3rd video, Kuru is shown being loaded onto the back of a truck, not returned immediately to the water, which I would have thought was the common-sense thing to do. Unless this was not the first time and they knew she would simply try to get out again? Or did they just want to get her out of the way so they could continue the show? (¥¥)

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"Though the industry has consistently refuted Pilleri's statistics, similar figures from other sources are just as bleak. According to the Russian cetologist Awenir G. Tomilin, out of 118 dolphins of nine species being kept at the oceanarium of Enoshima, Japan, between 1957 and 1965, 118 died, including 18 which had swallowed foreign objects. Similarly, as Dr Susan-Jane Owen revealed in her 1984 report for Greenpeace, between 1972-1982 Japan captured 647 dolphins for 27 aquaria, of which only 293 still survived."

http://www.iridescent-publishing.com/rtm/ch4p1.htm

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google and wikipedia battle show who is the most free time not who know more

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zenny11 - the more sea parks = more experience = the better - in your opinion.

please come to my regional city and witness the "experienced" dolphin handlers put their charges through the hoops and other oh so fascinating activities for all the ooohhhh, aahhhing crowd.

And especially marvel at how they manage to do all of this with the "kawaii" dolphins in the confines of a tank suited for goldfish.

What accumulated knowledge such trainers display.

Fact is world wide aquariums are not particularly hospitable places for the captive - and I don't mean audiences - and especially so here in Japan where the the dolphin industry thrashes between hunting/selling/eating and cloying adoration for cuteness.

Just some of the locals can't see it, because .........???

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hadorison,

I think I'll choose dolphin and whale meat over questionable McDonald's anyday.

Ummm, you kinda missed my point, but bon appetit.

Taiji officials: Dolphin meat 'toxic waste'

http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/fe20070801a1.html

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Excellent.

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I don't get this meat toxicity argument, we can just warn the consumers that there is high concentration of mercury, and they might still eat it.

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"I don't get this meat toxicity argument, we can just warn the consumers that there is high concentration of mercury, and they might still eat it."

Sounds like your ready to be elected to political office.

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I think that it is sad to have wild animlas in small cages and tanks but yet I am one of the many people who will frequent aquariums to get a hint of whats out in the deep blue when I cant get out to the ocean for a dive. Also, some aquariums legitimately rescue wild, injured animals and try to help rehabilitate them. Once this happens it may be difficult to have the animals returned to the wild as their group (pod, pack and such) may not be in the area thus leaving them to fend for themselves. And honestly, who hasn't been to an aquarium? Who would not bring their child to one? If you really strongly believe, vote with your dollars. DOn't go and write the aquarium to explain your reasons why you will not patronize their establishment.

As for the the meat toxicity thing. The level in dolphins will have a minimal to non-existant effect on people who do not eat it regularly. Also, a lot of other sea food that is eaten more regularly has mercury too but since it is rather small in comparison people arent as concerned although it can be as ''toxic'' as dolphin if eaten often enough...and it seems to me that more people are munching on that than dolphin.I would be more worried about shellfish than the reandom meal of dolphin.

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NationalistRE - I don't get this meat toxicity argument, we can just warn the consumers that there is high concentration of mercury, and they might still eat it.

Sadly, there is no warning on the labels or any sort public awareness campaign. In fact, it is kept secret by the J-health authorities. You can also add the fact that dolphin meat is incorrectly labeled and sold as whale to squash any of the warnings that the masses may have picked up in international news.

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Sadly, there is no warning on the labels or any sort public awareness campaign. In fact, it is kept secret by the J-health authorities. You can also add the fact that dolphin meat is incorrectly labeled and sold as whale to squash any of the warnings that the masses may have picked up in international news.

It's pretty silly as you say. Just like the whole racket about the propensity of American beef to BSE, the government could've labeled all the American beef in supermarkets as a 'Product of the USA' and let the consumers make up their mind.

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In civilised countries around the world, dolphins are loved and protected. Alas, not so in Japan. I agree with the "Cove" star - it shows Japanese cruelty.

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This dolphin's act of defiance is the first. Watch out for the rebellion, coming to an aquarium near you!

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Shall we sum up this way: what you like to do and what your country do in general you consider it civilized. What you don't is uncivilized... Well, you have to figure that foreign country think the opposite. Japanese eating dolphin is not eliminating the species, it just disturb you when you sleep: not really a priority.

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Killing to survive is not something human invented: it's part of life. These traditions are there to remind you reality.

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Japanese eating dolphin is not eliminating the species, it just disturb you when you sleep: not really a priority.

That'll be the mercury attacking your internal organs - you had better see a doctor.

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Shall we sum up this way: what you like to do and what your country do in general you consider it civilized. What you don't is uncivilized...

I will reiterate that there are things that go on in the world that are uncivilised in any country. Do you really need a list of things that are simply wrong regardless of the cultural tradition surrounding it.

Here is an example - http://www.japantoday.com/category/world/view/iran-stoning-sentence-for-adultery-draws-outrage. This drew criticism from around the world - because stoning a woman to death for adultery is wrong - no matter "what you like to do in your country".

Animals are not killed for food in the way dolphins and whales are killed in Japan in - what I regard to be - civilised countries.

Woman are not sentenced to being stoned to death in what I regard to be civilised countries.

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