Dolphins and Porpoises are Being Needlessly Slaughtered
- by: Care2
- recipient: Ryozo Kato, Ambassador to Japan
Right now, Japanese fishermen are killing thousands of dolphins and porpoises as part of their annual hunt. Between October and April, more than 20,000 of these graceful creatures will be slaughtered. Speak out against this barbaric and unnecessary practice now!
Why is this government-sanctioned event happening? Officials claim the slaughter is a form of "pest control" since the dolphins may compete with a fisherman's catch. But the butchered dolphins are actually being sold off to supermarkets and grocery stores!
Dolphins are considered one of the most intelligent species on earth. Conservationists, scientists, and aquarium professionals agree that the method of these killings "inflict measurable pain and suffering on animals that are intelligent, sentient, and socially complex."
TELL THE AMBASSADOR TO THE JAPANESE EMBASSY: STOP KILLING DOLPHINS TODAY!Dear Ambassador Ryozo Kato,
I was outraged to learn that Japan kills more than 20,000 dolphins and porpoises every year in dolphin drive hunts. Dolphins and whales that are targeted in this hunt include bottlenose dolphins, pilot whales and striped dolphins. Several of the species are considered to be threatened with extinction.
The truth is the impact of these hunts on the marine mammal populations is unknown due to the lack of good population size estimates for the various targeted species. Scientists also don't know the extent of the disruption the massacre causes on the complex social structure of the dolphins or the effect on the ecosystem of removing so many large animals out of a small area.
Moreover, the wholesale prices for dolphin meat have plummeted as fears over pollution levels have turned Japanese consumers against tinned dolphin.
[Your comment]
I urge you to do the right thing and end this slaughter. Not only will you be protecting the health of Japanese families, you won't contribute to the disruption of our delicate ocean ecosystems. This tradition - proud or not - has run its course.
Sincerely,
[Your name]
[Your address]
