Conservationists slam Japan's dolphin drive hunts

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http://www.crisscross.com/jp/news/369560

 

Wednesday, April 12, 2006 at 05:00 EDT

 

 

 

LONDON - The practice of dolphin drive hunts in Japan is cruel and is being

fueled by the high prices that aquarium owners are willing to pay for the

animals, says theWhale and Dolphin Conservation Society in Britain, adding it is

demand from aquariums, both in and outside Japan, which " has now become the

primary motivation for the hunts to continue. "

 

According to WDCS, more than 6,000 dolphins and small whales were killed in

drive hunts in Japan between 2000 and 2004. Nearly 250 dolphins were taken alive

from the hunts in Futo, Shizuoka Prefecture, and Taiji, Wakayama Prefecture.

Aquarium staff select the young and appealing dolphins while the remainder are

slaughtered, WDCS said.