Imported dolphins

Like it or not it's part of Japanese culture.

There are many things that were part of different cultures in history which have been ended thanks to enlightened thought. Bet you can think of some.

Its not illegal in Japan like browny said. As long as people will pay to see dolphins and other animals do tricks and flips they will be bought and sold. Just because something is illegal in your country doesn't make it illegal in Japan. It is a way some people put food on the table for their families. Like it or not it's part of Japanese culture.

Fred - I'd bet on the side of these dolphins being taken from the wild.

It is not illegal in Japan.

Zoos & Aquaria that are not WAZA members are not bound by the code.

So dolphin hunters in Japan catch and sell to countries without a ban on the import of wild dolphins - such as China, Russia, Egypt, Mexico, Korea....etc and of course non-waza members in Japan.

So this industry is not "accountable" to laws by other countries.

Which is why many people get upset over the hunting & trading.

No doubt they came from Taiji. That's 7 live dolphins at around 30 thousand bucks each. Tell me again how the whale hunt in Taiji is about culture!

I believe most countries in the developed world - covering a diversity of cultures and ehtnicities - have banned the trading of wild animals. WAZA ( world assoc. of zoos & aquariums) also bans the taking and trading of wild animals in almost all instances. Most zoos & aquaria in Japan follow this code of ethics.

Captive bred animals don't fall under this ban... so, I can only assume that because these animals are being sold / traded (?) to a foreign country that they must be captive bred and NOT wild or captured in the wild...

Not stating any fact or substantiation for this story - just stating the obvious ( I thought ) while everybody goes on about dolphin "hunters"... If they were caught "wild" then the people in violation of this ban should be held accountable....

Tradition hey?

Dolphins are everywhere in sea. Why bought them from Japan? Or they can't go and get them?

Pukey2, just to help you here, "Wheres the water?" Dolphins are not transported in vats of water, as they don't actually need it for being transported, they breathe air just like us humans, water is poured over they skins to to keep them wet just to stop them drying out, as for lying still, vet's would have given them a drug called benzodiazepine – an anti-anxiety drug, this drug calms them down, it is used/administered to fish, dolphins, killer whales when they are moved,

A dolphin killed for meat nets a few $!00s at most.

A dolphin captured nets at first point of sale on average $8,000. Thats money directly to the hunters.

A dolphin sold by brokers for International sale will net  on average $10,000 + dollars untrained - but that will move to an average of $40,000 for a trained animal.

This is Big Bikkies for the traditional dolphin hunting communities and is what keeps the whole show economically viable. Few people want to consume dolphin flesh.

It certainly weakens the "It's our Age Old Tradition" argument often spouted by the hunters.

I believe most countries in the developed world - covering a diversity of cultures and ehtnicities - have banned the trading of wild animals. WAZA ( world assoc. of zoos & aquariums) also bans the taking and trading of wild animals in almost all instances. Most zoos & aquaria in Japan follow this code of ethics.

But when easy money is to be made, there's always a will and a way.

After you've seen dolphins in the wild, seeing them in captivity is quite upsetting.

Where's the water?

I can't actually believe this, but there are actually countries which treat zoo animals worse than Japan.

No windows?

That is disgusting. Cruel and inhumane.