A Veterinary and Behavioral Analysis of Dolphin Killing Methods Currently Used in the “Drive Hunt” in Taiji, Japan

Butterworth, Andrew; Brakes, Philippa; Vail, Courtney S.; Reiss, Diana

doi:10.1080/10888705.2013.768925

Cited by 16 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 22 publications

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“…As animals perfectly versed in the environment with an understanding of their surroundings and sensitivity to the social context, they experience an extreme level of emotional arousal during the chase and the killing. This is reflected in studies on the level of cortisol in the body and behavioral and veterinary observations of cetaceans (38,42,47,48). 1 The North Atlantic Marine Mammal Commission "Instruction Manual on Pilot Whaling" from 2014 clearly indicates that the insertion of the transport hook into the blowhole of pilot whales should be restricted and not abused (50).…”

Section: Damage To Animalsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ritual Slaughter: The Tradition of Pilot Whale Hunting on the Faroe Islands

Mamzer

2021

Front. Vet. Sci.

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Faroese people consider grindadráp, the hunting of pilot whales, as a part of their cultural heritage, but from the point of view of veterinary sciences and biology, the method of killing pilot whales is a form of a ritual slaughter performed on fully conscious animals that are aware of their circumstances. Pilot whales are social, intelligent, and communicative animals that demonstrate complex social behaviors. Therefore, this traditional whaling method should be considered as a procedure in which animals are exposed to high levels of distress. In the context of contemporary civilizational development and material welfare, the practice of whaling may appear to be an inadequate and cruel relic of the past. This text explores social and cultural issues caused by pilot whale hunts and presents an understanding of the term tradition and some perspectives of how traditions change. The specificity of pilot whales as a species is presented, setting a foundation for a discussion about hunting itself. The conclusion of the text discusses different social perceptions of grindadráp by presenting arguments for and against the hunting. This analysis includes a presentation of actions undertaken bywhale hunting opponents.

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Section: Damage To Animalsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ritual Slaughter: The Tradition of Pilot Whale Hunting on the Faroe Islands

Mamzer

2021

Front. Vet. Sci.

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“…Analysis of video of this activity shows that when dolphins are driven close to shore, they exhibit very rapid respiration rates. When forcibly submersed, they lack the capacity to control the duration of their submersion and display profound distress (Butterworth et al, 2013). Diving mammals are highly adapted for submersion, and capable of relatively long intervals between respirations (compared to terrestrial mammals).…”

Section: Physical Impact: Handling Restraint and Injurymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…During the hunt process, dolphins are in close proximity to each other when individuals are removed from the group or killed. Individuals held for selection or slaughter are likely to be in a state of extreme anxiety, when they experience and witness the capture and killing of others individuals to whom they may be related or share close social bonds (Butterworth et al, 2013).…”

Section: Socio-psychological and Ecological Impactsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…During the dolphin drives hunters often actively prevent observation by outsiders. Despite this, the acquisition of investigative video has enabled analysis and documented escape and avoidance behaviors which take place during the chase, herding, separation and collection of individuals during the hunt process (Butterworth et al, 2013).…”

Section: Behavioral and Physiological Impactsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In a previous report, we describe and discuss the killing methods and techniques employed in the drive hunts and why they do not conform to the recognized requirements for humane killing methods that render "immediate insensibility" and thus would not be permitted in any regulated slaughterhouse process in the developed world (Butterworth et al, 2013). In this paper, we focus on the chasing, herding, separation and confinement of animals during the drive hunt process, and review the existing literature and other available data on the physical, behavioral and social impacts of these activities on cetaceans.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Potential Welfare Impacts of Chase and Capture of Small Cetaceans during Drive Hunts in Japan

Vail¹,

Reiss

Brakes

et al. 2019

Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science

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Drive hunts are a method to herd, capture and kill small cetaceans (whales and dolphins) in coastal waters of some countries including Japan and the Faroe Islands. In Japan, these methods are often associated with the acquisition of live dolphins for international marine parks and aquaria. During the hunts, dolphins are herded by a flotilla of fishing vessels and loud underwater noise created by fishermen banging hammers on metal poles.The prolonged and strenuous chase and use of sound barriers to herd, capture, and restrain the dolphins can result in acute stress and injury. The authors review physiological and behavioural data pertaining to chase, encirclement, and live capture of dolphins and draw comparisons between chase and capture data for marine and terrestrial species. This analysis raises substantial welfare concerns associated with the hunts and acquisition of dolphins from such capture operations. The authors assert that this data detailing the negative impacts of chase, herding and handling (capture) of small cetaceans renders these hunts inherently inhumane and should inform policy relating to the collection and management of dolphins in the wild.

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Marine Mammal Captivity, an Evolving Issue

Corkeron

2022

Ethology and Behavioral Ecology of Marine Mammals

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A Veterinary and Behavioral Analysis of Dolphin Killing Methods Currently Used in the “Drive Hunt” in Taiji, Japan

Cited by 16 publications

References 22 publications

Ritual Slaughter: The Tradition of Pilot Whale Hunting on the Faroe Islands

Ritual Slaughter: The Tradition of Pilot Whale Hunting on the Faroe Islands

Potential Welfare Impacts of Chase and Capture of Small Cetaceans during Drive Hunts in Japan

Marine Mammal Captivity, an Evolving Issue

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