Save Japan Dolphins

Cove volunteers safe after "apocalyptic" experience; Taiji Dolphins Perish

See also: The Cove Documentary Website

See also: Videos of the Taji Dolphin Slaughter

News has come out about the fate of the Taiji dolphins. Although it is located well away from the epicenter of the earthquake, the area did experience swells from the tsunami. Sadly, we learned that all 24 dolphins being kept in sea pens in the harbor died as they were thrashed against the rocky coastline. Save Japan Dolphins noted that, "During such a difficult time, it's hard to say what I'm feeling about the fisherman who left them there [to die]. So I won't."



Teams from Save Japan Dolphins were in the city of Otsuchi to monitor the slaughter of dolphins by the Japanese. After the earthquake hit, both teams headed for the mountain overlooking the city of Otsuchi. The tsunami hit almost immediately after Brian Barne's last video post, about the massacre of dolphins.

The teams watched in horror as the tides rescinded and then came back with such fierce velocity that the city was quickly submerged. When it ended, they descended into absolute turmoil. The city was ravaged - cars toppled, houses and buildings totally destroyed. Bodies were strewn about - one in a tree, others in cars, several in the wreckage. We can't begin to imagine how horrible it must have been.

It was impossible to drive, so the teams opted to walk to Tono, roughly 30 miles away.