Dolphin Project has returned to the ground in Taiji, Japan, where the dolphin drive hunt season is currently in full swing.
Over the past several years, the organization has been working diligently behind the scenes with the Japanese NGO Life Investigation Agency (LIA). They have been sorting through extensive documentation and currently have multiple cases in progress to defend dolphins through litigation in Japanese courts. To date, Dolphin Project and LIA have won every lawsuit they have filed against the dolphin hunting and captivity industries. By collaborating with LIA and a growing network of independent Japanese citizens, Dolphin Project has shifted its campaign focus to legal actions, lawsuits, and education within Japan. They believe this approach will not only expose new aspects of the hunts but also bring about a more effective end to them.
During the hunt season, hunting boats head out in search of unsuspecting dolphin pods, either to slaughter them or to select dolphins for captivity. The documentation gathered by the team, including photos and videos, will continue to play a crucial role in their ongoing legal actions to defend the dolphins.
While the primary focus of the team in Taiji remains on gathering evidence for legal purposes, they will also continue to share updates on the hunts and the captive dolphin trade as much as possible.
A Big Thank You to the Team in Bali
In addition to the efforts in Taiji, Dolphin Project’s dedicated team in Bali, Indonesia, has been busy responding to urgent animal-related issues. The Umah Lumba Center in West Bali, established five years ago as the world’s first permanent dolphin rehabilitation, release, and retirement facility for formerly performing dolphins, has become a multi-purpose center serving various animal welfare programs.
Just this month, the team in Bali has made significant progress with several animal rescue operations. On January 12th, 29 endangered green sea turtles were confiscated by the Jembrana Police, all suffering from severe dehydration and in poor health. Nineteen turtles were released, four remain under the team’s care, and one required surgery at the Turtle Hospital and is now in recovery.
Also on January 12th, the team celebrated the 4th anniversary of the Umah Lumba Education Center. This free school, launched in 2020, uses fun and engaging methods to teach students about the natural world. Today, 63 students attend the school, where they participate in activities such as theater, dance, and educational performances. The celebration included certificate presentations for the students.
The following day, January 13th, 520 songbirds were confiscated by quarantine authorities in Bali, thanks to the efforts of Flight, an organization dedicated to protecting the birds of Indonesia. While most of the birds were successfully released into the forest, 25 were too young to survive on their own and are now under the team’s care.
Looking Ahead
With these ongoing efforts, Dolphin Project continues its mission to protect and defend dolphins worldwide, from the front lines in Taiji to their dedicated rescue and rehabilitation work in Bali. They remain committed to challenging the industries that profit from cruelty and are hopeful that their legal strategies, combined with public education, will one day bring an end to the barbaric dolphin hunts.
For those looking to support these efforts, Dolphin Project encourages continued awareness and activism, as every action counts in the fight for a more compassionate world for dolphins and other marine life.