And just when you ready to go home. The season is done, they have packed away the bangers. Just then Taiji has a great way of reminding you why you came here in the first place.
This morning on our last loop of Taiji we saw four ‘coffins’, a train and a truck getting ready to transfer four Bottlenose Dolphins to Osaka port. The last tweet the cove Guardians posted as to the dolphins final destination:
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CoveGuardians Thanks to local Japanese activists, info is dolphins possibly transfer to Shibushiwan Daikoku Dolphin Land in Kushima, Japan #tweet4taiji 2013/02/28 2:24 AM |
The process of transferring and transporting Dolphins is brutal. They are first caught by the trainers and then brought over by two skips. They are hanging in slings on the side of these boats. They are then lifted by crane and lowered into coffins. They are literally the size of coffins.
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- Being Lowered into the crate
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- No room to move
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- Hours spent in these crates
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- Shipped like mere commodities
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- Brutal, Cruel
They have no ability to move in these crates and are then put onto the back of a truck and in this case put onto a Vessel. Hours and hour and hours in these tiny little crates. I can only begin to imagine the terror, the confusion, the agony.
These creatures went from swimming 40-50 miles a day in the ocean. To spending months in tiny pens, starved and taught to beg for food. Yes the tricks you see them doing are not tricks to make you smile. They have no intention to entertain you. They want food and the only time they get food is if they do these tricks. They are begging for food. They are then forced to spend hours in tiny crates. Only to be put back into some small tank somewhere in the world to continue begging.
This is cruelty at finest and I’m not sure how and why we accept this. It cannot be acceptable.
Lets continue to stand up for Compassion. Respect and Love.
Chat when I’m back in SA.
Have a great day.
Nikki Botha
Feb 28, 2013 -
Safe travels back Grant!
Darren
Feb 28, 2013 -
We accept this out of ignorance, or at least those that are unaware of what is actually happening do. That’s why we’re here Granty. To open people’s eyes and hearts to the real story. Fly safe and we’ll see you soon!
Zondra Hoffmann
Feb 28, 2013 -
Cannot wait to hear what you are going to do in South Africa to muster support for this wonderful Society. Come safe and sound, and we are so proud of you. .
Avene
Feb 28, 2013 -
As a child and adult i went to dolphin shows and never gave it a thought where they come from. I always saw it as how lucky are these dolphins to have these humans caring for them. They always looked like they were smiling. I was ignorant like 99.9 % of the rest of the world. NEVER AGAIN!! We all need to help and get the truth out there.
People like you are making the world a better place for our animal friends.
Jen
Feb 28, 2013 -
Hold your head high Grant – you have done what you can – and wonderfully so – Blogs were brilliant!
We will all keep going – we all wamt to stop this brutal trade, end the misery & we’ll protest & create awareness as much as possible!
Look out for Bev at airport upon your return! She has a gift from WAC for you!! Thank-you brave Cove Guardian!
Dinielle
Feb 28, 2013 -
Great work you did in taiji. I am sure you influenced many people and I hope south africans open their eyes and heart and stop supporting dolphins in captivity.
Norma Patrick
Feb 28, 2013 -
Grant, cannot thank you enough for the effort you have made and the exposure you have given to this horrendous practice. I think you have done more in educating South Africans about the cruelty of captivity and dolphin shows in your short time in Taiji than any Oceanarium in South Africa has in the history of their operation. Despite their claims of Edutainment. Most South Africans think that it is absolutely fine to keep dolphins in cement pools and train them to perform tricks over and over for our enjoyment.
heather
Feb 28, 2013 -
come home Grant and we’ll start at home.
Helen Offutt
Feb 28, 2013 -
People apathy is the problem: we started an online auction to create a scholarship for cove guardian and out of all the supporters and almost 2000 hits, we have has 12 bids…it is always the same people putting their money where their mouth is…discouraging to say the least
Kim Cintio
Feb 28, 2013 -
I am here with you. We are their voice.
Syl
Feb 28, 2013 -
Zolang ik kan spreken..wil ik dat doen..voor alles wat leeft..en in dit geval voor de DOLFIJNEN EN DE WALVISSEN..(heb een pest hekel aan de japaners) die dit alles veroorzaken..DIERENBEULEN..