Wakayama Region Devastated by Typhoon Talas

Storm-tossed: Firefighters search through houses destroyed by a landslide triggered by Typhoon Talas in Tanabe, Wakayama Prefecture, on Sunday morning. KYODO - Source: http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20110905a1.html

It was last Dolphin Slaughter season in Taiji when about 65 Sea Shepherd Cove Guardians stayed in the nearby town called Nachikatsuura. This small town is a huge fishing town but not one dolphin comes off the boats - its a 10 minute drive down the coast away. Taiji is not far at all and the news I have found states how hard this area was hit by the dreadful Typhoon Talas. Below is a  video of how large the storm was prior to hitting the Japanese coastline. You do not need to watch it long to see the power it held.

Nachikatsuura and Singu were hit hard in the Wakayama area which was ground zero for the Cove Guardian's who traveled from around the world. I found these following reports (Article posted at end):

"In four towns in Wakayama, including Nachikatsuura and Shingu, more than 3,600 people in 37 areas had been cut off in isolated pockets of the prefecture as of Sunday night, it was learned."

"Seven people went missing in Shingu and 13 in Nachikatsuura."

"Two-thirds of a 39-meter-long iron bridge over the Nachi River in the town of Nachikatsuura collapsed and was washed away in the swollen river. The bridge serves JR West's Kise Line, but no injuries were reported as the train operator halted all of its operations on the line."

Currently there are 20 dead, 55 missing in Talas' wake. The Wakayama region is one that was hit very hard and 12 of the dead found. Below is a  video put out by people who accompanied Ric O'Barry. This video is prior to the heaviest power of the Typhoon and really shows you what the dolphins had to endure to try and stay alive. Needless to say most of the dolphins drowned and we're just waiting on better confirmation.

The dolphins should not have had to endure such irresponsibility and lose their lives. To pack up and run for the hills to save your life and leave behind an animal that feels with emotions and deserves to live as well is "Criminal!" Below is a video of some aftermath of Typhoon Talas with some locals. It looks as bad as the Tsunami that hit months ago in the spring.

The Tsunami and the Typhoon in the Animal Network world seem to have hit on some important dates and issues. As the whale killers were shutdown whaling in the Antarctic by the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society the Tsunami came about and devastated the Northern part of Japan where thousands of small porpoises are murdered by harpooning. Then a few days ago Typhoon Talas comes across the southern part of Japan on the start of their Dolphin Killing season. Some may say "So What!" However if you follow the animals within our planet that are exploited and killed for money then you would find this to be an odd coincidence. I believe it is damn sad to see any person or animal die however when I was back in Taiji last January the one thing we prayed for was bad weather to stop the killing for that duration. So the results of these powerful storms may have an impact on the upcoming whaling in the antarctic and now may have an impact on when the 12 Deadly Sins of Taiji actually go out and drive in and kill their first innocent dolphin family.

I am finishing this blog off with the plea from Ric O'Barry prior to any of the dolphins dying in Taiji at Dolphin Base. Its just so sad to neglect a soul that cannot defend themselves when placed into a cage against their own will.



Watch the English Version of THE COVE for FREE!

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Article Sources:

Monday, Sep. 5, 2011

Rescuers expect death toll to rise

20 dead, 55 missing in Talas' wake

http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20110905a1.html

Save Japan Dolphins

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