12 Deadly Sins of Taiji

We raced to the look out point yesterday when we noticed the 12 deadly sins were out in the water.

Surprising they were very close to the area and constantly searching around out of formation. Formation is a key to know when they actually have dolphins in their site and we also look for the poles to enter the water so they can start hammering them. Well it was only just after 9am and the ships were still jumping around and then they started to drop the poles and line up.

We started to search in front of the 12 deadly sins and noticed a very small group of dolphins being driven towards the Taiji fish port. The 12 deadly sins started to push closer and closer to them banging the poles in the water to scare the small pod. We believe there was about 5 dolphins in total.

As the 12 deadly sins came closer it was like a war zone of sound from the ships engines to the pounding of the hammer to the metal poles in the water. We practically ran up the path to the car and raced over to the Cove to see if the dolphins would escape from their clutches.

As the pounding became louder in front of the Cove's entrance the dolphins managed to escape and the pounding ceased and the ships engines increased. The 12 deadly sins high-tailed it back 5 steps and re-grouped in their wall formation. They managed to capture the dolphins with sound once again and successfully drove the dolphins into the cove.

There were approximately 5 Risso dolphins captured in the walls of the cove with nets everywhere. This day was sadly very fast for the dolphins and the 12 deadly sins were very efficient of their work to tail tie them and drag them behind the tarps. While you feel they are doing nothing you can see the tails constantly slapping the water and blood starts to pour under the tarp along the side of the cove wall.

After they quickly killed the dolphins they took all the rops that were looped around their tails and dragged them to the boat to load. They kept the bodies under a tarp but the tails were showing and at one time a dolphins deceased body was exposed. They managed to load the bodies up onto the skiv and transport them to the slaughtering building in Taiji Harbour.

The deaths I have seen in three days is mind boggling. Approximately 40 to 50 Black Striped Dolphins on my first day to 5 Risso dolphins on my 3rd day. May we have a wind storm today to stop the boats from venturing into the ocean and removing such wild and intelligent creatures from their world.

PRIOR TO TAIJI

Just before we went to monitor the 12 Deadly Sins we hit the local fish docks to see the days catch. I have some photos and video to share with you below. I was shocked to see so much for the small town of Katsura - Japan.

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)