Japan's Taiji Cove really became known to the world with the release of the movie, "The Cove" by Louie Psihoyos and Richard O'Barry. This is must see movie. Period.
But that's not why I am posting this for all of you to watch again. You might think that much has been done about this SHAMEFUL behavior by some Japanese. I want to reiterate the word "some" because not all Japanese are guilty of this actual crime against an endangered specie. In fact, having lived in Japan for more than 7 years, many Japanese do not have the slightest idea when I mentioned this topic to them while I was still living there. Some of them got mad at me, some of them said it was just hollywood "fake" movie to belittle and ridicule Japanese traditional customs and practices. And some just outright ignored it, even when I showed the videos.
That Red is the color of Dolphin Blood
But, to be sure, many other Japanese were also horrified when they saw the movie and the other smuggled videos from the scene made known to the world by brave souls (and celebrities, like Hayden Panettiere) who made the trip there illegally and recorded these atrocities. And while the reactions from the Japanese people were varied, ALL OF THEM SAID THERE IS NOTHING THAT CAN BE DONE! All of them said, that is the Japanese way. They have a right to it!
When "Black Fish" was released late last year, the "debate" (Is there really a debate for this as news media portrays it to be) again resurfaced on the morality of "show" animals. Does anybody really think that it is good or okay for us humans to have these creatures of our natural world held in four walls all their lives, basically for our entertainment. Because that's what it really comes down to: for our human entertainment. Yes, when we have oil spills and humanity-caused disasters, we owe it to all of these creatures to be saved. But the natural order of things in nature, life gives and life takes - who are we to control that, and pretend we are saving each one, and then converting them into showcases in zoos and the Sea Worlds. WE DO NOT HAVE THAT RIGHT!