All Taiji Updates

 The beginning of the hunting season started slow for the horrible killermen of the cove, with several days of no dolphin captures. This period of time shown as a beacon of hope that these innocent creatures might be spared their lives. The hope, love, and rejoice that no lives were taken were instantly stopped on September 5, 2011 when the killermen came back to the cove with 14 Risso dolphins, and then slaughtered them. Sadness took over all those who were watching over the Cove and the dolphins, almost as a protector. This day was a day lost.

After the events of September 5th, there was another short period of five days in which the dolphins escaped the wrath of the killermen. Many were shaken as they had to watch 20-25 Bottlenose dolphins be corralled into the cove, anticipating death for all of them, on September 10, 2011. The assumptions proved wrong as surprising, though joyously, the men took but 1 adult from the entire pod, then released the others. We rejoice at this, but still mourn for that 1 soul who was taken from the sea, and pushed into captivity.

For a few days short of an entire month, the dolphins were victorious. The dolphins were free in the water, avoiding capture of the cold hearted men we call humans. On October 2, 2011 although there were no dolphins captured, it was reported that dolphins are still in captivity, and being trained against their will. With the exception of one who is depressed, not eating, and floats listlessly. Many pray for these beings.

Shortly after this update, it was reported on October 4,2011 that 28 Striped dolphins were corralled, and then slaughtered shamefully. It was also said that this tragedy took place directly after the killermen finished eating lunch. This tells you a lot about the men we are dealing with, and how they set their priorities. 

On October 7, 2011 the boats went out and chased a pod. Half got away, half didn't and are waiting to be mercilessly murdered. Two of the innocently accused are taken to sea pens and will be starved until trained to eat dead fish. There is also a pod of suspected false killer whales near the cove, and it is predicted the killermen will go after them. Its prayed they won't. Sadly, 17 of these false killer whales were captured and put into captivity. 

October 9, 2011 and 3 of the whales were moved into separate sea pens while 14 others await their final fate. Today is the Shinto Festival and no dolphins will be slaughtered.

Today is October 10, 2011 and it looks as if the only false killer whales that are getting fed are the ones that buyers are interested in. The rest seem to be going hungry.  Another sign of just how sick and disrespectful these men are. Later in the day these 16 starving whales were then slaughtered by the killermen. 

On the 12th October a reported 15 Risso dolphins were corralled, and slaughtered with no mercy.  


On the 21st of October their is nothing really to report. Strong winds and bad weather have been literally keeping the dolphin hunters at bay. They have not gone out in the boats much. A few days ago a pod was chased but escaped, joyfully. There are rumors that those in the sea pens are being close to starved. :(

"Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek."

Captivity: What It Means To Me, and How It Makes Me Who I Am

Captivity; (in my own definition)
Taking another sentient being, trapping it, and keeping it from the world and happiness forever.


Captivity is a horrible word, and a horrible action that should never have come to be, or still be present in the modern day. Captivity (as said above, in my own text) is taking another sentient being, trapping it, and keeping it from the world and happiness forever. Aquariums... Zoos... Circuses... all of these facilities represent captivity... that represent an unseen cruelty, neglect, and slow agonizing death. 


Keeping animals in captivity is an act that should be punishable, in my opinion. An act that should mean death for those creating the deaths of the animals. But, sadly the human species thinks they are dominant, and instantly put themselves over any other creature that can be taken down with a weapon. This is why captivity exists. We think we are superior, and therefore that we have the power to do whatever we want, including taking parts of the Ocean out of the Ocean with no thought of the consequences, or the feelings of the beings they are taking. This could be defined as greed.

When you think about, really think about it, Its extremely sad... Humans are basically taking the earth and oceans for granted, taking whatever we want from it, however much we want from it, trapping it and making it perform for our entertainment. Pretty sick..

Some say that captivity is educational. For scientists, and for students (as some school districts take field trips to aquariums and zoos). Which is why captivity is not wrong. This is 100% false, and a petty excuse for trying to stand up for something that you know is truly wrong. Nowhere does it say that marine mammals, or any animals, had to be in captivity (or dead) to be scientifically studied. Nor does it have to be painful. There is a plethora of scientists that perform studies of these animals in the wild with no pain to either of them. Thus, proving the above to be false.

They also say that it is important for kids and students to interact with these animals. This explanation is not as pathetic as the last, but is still in-accurate. Who ever said the animals had to be in captivity, or do shows, for these innocent kids to interact with them? Why should a dolphin have to be displayed in a concrete tank and enslave for life, just so humans can see it do a flip? That's the thing, they don't have to be. Take the students on a dolphin tour boat, or a whale watching trip, so they can experience the rush of being in the natural habitat of the creatures, AND get to see them really perform where they are happy. I'm sure they would not complain. This goes back to greed. Humans want the money, so they make shows and exploit the animals to make money for themselves, rather than happily view them in their natural habitat where they belong. 

Keeping animals in captivity is wrong, immoral, and shameful. Point blank.

"The world has enough for everyone's need but it doesn't have enough for everyone's greed"

(Via Brittiny Perkins) "What most people don't understand is - Everything has a purpose, we NEED animals and we NEED our land... We're wiping all of it out.. It's not only sick it's disrespectful."

 Every time we take an animal from the ocean, we have just killed that part of the ocean. 


Learning about the shocking truth of captivity, has profoundly changed my perspective of marine parks, and also who I am as a person. Before, I enjoyed seeing the dolphins jump and do flips, the orcas doing amazing things, and seals playing with balls... that was the cover up that thousands of others also see. But, I got a look backstage of this startling display, and what did I find? Truth, and misery. When I got more educated, I instantly began to do what I could to put an end to this horrific exploitation. I got involved with others working towards my same goal such as Sandy McElhaney, Holise Cleveland III, Kay Doyle Carter, and more. These are great people whom I have had an endless amount of pleasure working with, and whom I look forward to meeting in the future. Out goal is to free all marine mammals, and animals, home to the wild, where they desperately crave to be and need to be. This is my goal, and I WILL achieve it.

Having The Opportunity, Choosing To Take It, and Ways To Use It

During my personal past experiences of educating others on the captivity of marine mammals and what needs to be done to set them free, but most importantly WHY we set them free, those who do not get involved and interactive towards goal, always give the same excuse.. "I can't do that." when the answer should be "What can I do to help?"

"I can't do that"

In reply to the "I can't do that" group, I tell them about the Award Winning 2009 Documentary 'The Cove' starring Ric O'Barry and his team opposing the slaughter of 2,000 dolphins inside the infamous 'cove' located in Japan. I tell them that to watch it, is taking a big step from the "I can't" to "I'm trying". That to watch it, is at least attempting to understand it, educate yourself, and even possibly motivate you to stand up, be heard, and make a difference.

This movie has inspired many lovers of the Oceans, dolphins specifically, ALL animals, or even those just wishing to see a change in human nature, to make the choice to be against it and be a part of actually seeing that change they are so desperately hoping for. 

"There is a choice you have to make in everything you do. Just keep in mind, the choice you make, makes you." -Anon.

It all starts with one person, then that person shares the movie with friends, they share it with their friends, and so on until a plethora of people are working together against the slaughter. 


Also, another view of the "I can't do that" group, is not having the time, not having the opportunity, not knowing they can make a difference, or just not knowing how to start. These are petty excuses used by weak people. The opportunity is always there, always open. Whether or not you take the opportunity (take the chance) is your choice, your action, and the decision you have to make yourself, and only yourself. To be truly effective, and to lead the way towards change and turning the tides for  these beautiful creatures you have to stay true to yourself and who you are, not what others want you to be. 


If you choose to be the person who moves from the "I can't do that" group to the "What can I do to help?" group, that choice itself is probably the biggest and most important decision you will have had to make. And one that will make your efforts worthwhile.

"What can I do to help?" 

There are many effective tactics and ways that you (yes, you) can directly help in fighting for those who can't fight for themselves. These range from online action, sharing (updates, blogs, petitions, The Cove Movie... You can do this via Twitter, Facebook, etc..), to being right there working at point-blank range to put a stop to it. 

-Online Action

• Create and sign petitions, DEMANDING that the government end the slaughter. 
• Follow Ric O'Barry and his team, the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society's 'Cove Guardians'
• Start E-mail campaigns, raising funds for organizations opposing the slaughter. (Sea Shepherd, the Save Japan Dolphins Team [Ric O'Barry]).

• STAY UPDATED AND STAY SOCIAL --- Become associated with activists like yourself, so you can stay updated on the latest events.

-Sharing

• SHARE the petitions that you sign and create so others can also sign them, and share them. (This also falls under the STAY SOCIAL bullet above, and the CREATE AND SIGN PETITIONS bullet)
• Share updates with friends and others. 
• Run and share blog updates on the problem so you can also directly update your friends. 
• A very important subject you should share often is watching The Cove movie... the movie that created an armada of activists, animal lovers, and people from all over to raise their voice.
• You can use Twitter (you can reach thousands of people with one simple tweet), Facebook, Blogger, and other social networking sites

- Point-Blank Range Action

• You can travel to Taiji, Japan with the Sea Shepherd 'Cove Guardians' by visiting Get Involved with Sea Shepherd and volunteer to crew at sea.
• You can travel to Taiji, Japan with the Save Japan Dolphins team by visiting Take Action with Save Japan Dolphins and volunteer to monitor the cove with the team. 
• Simply go on a trip to the town of Taiji without a organized group and monitor the actions, and report the latest.