First Day In Taiji

Today was a major blow to my soul when I seen my favourite smaller dolphin species, similar shape to flipper, being driven in and killed in the cove. The striped dolphin was swimming with fear out in the ocean with a wall of sound coming after them.

The Drive formation to kill Dolphins.

As I showed up to a look out point I was told that the ships were out and we were trying to locate them. Slowly about 12 boats appeared in a strategic line and getting closer. Then I zoomed my video camera out and low and behold there was an enormous pod out front of them. I could see the dolphins stretch between 3 or 4 boats wide and looking like a stampede. They were swimming so hard and fast and I would believe there were like over 100 dolphins in this pod.

The new tarp contraption they rigged up to keep the darkness of their behaviour.

I learned a lot today from how they drive them in to the netting in the cove to the slaughter under the tarps while blood flowed under their curtain. It was all so surreal and took many hours to register within my mind. I was able to grab a lot of pictures and video and maybe that was my wall to stop the emotions since it was my job to witness for all to see. I am a changed person now and my will to save animals has greatly been enhanced.

Video: Black Striped Dolphins Jump Up On The Shore Rocks in the Cove while a Japanese Fisherman Tries to stop and/or push them back into the water.


I would love to  tap into someone so they can feel the sounds I felt vibrate through me today. The sounds of the hammers, the splashing of the dolphins, and the last few kicks until they cease to be alive all were absorbed within me. A person who believes this does not happen must really walk in my or anyone else that has witnessed an animals death forced on by a human species. It truly is an incredibly horrible feeling and makes my mind work harder on how to make changes. How to create a positive direction of action to make just one dolphin in the harbour bring in tens of thousands to the Taiji community instead of killing that one dolphin and feeding the tainted mercury to the locals for a mere one thousand dollars never to swim again.

Dolphin being fed in the Captive Pens in Taiji.

Stay positive its the only energy that the darkness cannot extinguish!

Please contact your closest Japanese Embassy/Consulate and let them know you do not approve and want the dolphin slaughter to stop: Stop The Slaughter

Bob Timmons
Future Cove Guardian
http://www.bobtimmons.org/
http://thecoveguardian.blogspot.com/
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It was a couple of years ago that I first learned about Taiji Bay aka "The Cove" when I did a painting that I called "The Rising Sun Exposes The Guilt". Now I have an opportunity to do more and this is becoming a "Cove Guardian" with the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society in Taiji Bay, Japan.

 I have started to organize ways to raise some money and awareness about this decision I have made and you can donate and share on facebook,  , Paypal (timmons.animal.artist@gmail.com)