Editor’s Note: This piece was written by guest contributor Richard O’Barry of the Save Japan Dolphins Coalition. As TakePart reported earlier this week, O’Barry is currently in Taiji, Japan with European and Japanese journalists in anticipation of the start of the annual dolphin slaughter.
Today is September 1, the first day of the dolphin slaughter season in Japan. But when I arrived today by bus from Kansai Airport with media representatives from all over the world, the notorious Cove from the movie was empty. There were no dolphin killers in sight.
So today is a very good day for dolphins!
I vowed to be back in Taiji when the dolphin killing began. I’ve often been here alone, or accompanied by a few environmentalists. Sometimes, I was able to talk a major media organization into sending someone.
But the people of Japan never learned about the dolphin slaughter, because none of the media in Japan (with the exception of the excellent Japan Times) have ever sent reporters to the killing Cove. Until today!
When I got off the bus at the Cove this afternoon, I was accompanied by my son Lincoln O’Barry’s film crew, a crew from Associated Press, Der Spiegel (the largest magazine in Germany), and the London Independent.
No dolphins and no dolphin killers. We would not have had a story at all, except for the police who were there, waiting all day for us to appear. Nine policemen came to talk to us.
Now, I have said this repeatedly: Unlike the Cove fishermen, the police from this Prefecture have always acted professionally, courteously, and fairly. I have never been mistreated or threatened by the police here. I think they are a microcosm of the people of Japan–the very people I am trying to reach about the dolphins!
And as I was talking with the police, as the international journalists stood around listening, suddenly a camera crew arrived from Japan! And then another! And then still another!
You have to understand that this is SO IMPORTANT. These TV stations have REFUSED to cover the story in Taiji for years and years. NOW, for the first time, they have shown up, with cameras rolling. The head policeman talking with me even said, for the cameras, that the police are not there to support the dolphin killing fishermen. We shook hands, and they left.
As I said, it is a good day for the dolphins. And for me personally, as the police only wanted to talk with me, not arrest me!
The Cove movie led to the strong action by the city of Broome, Australia, in suspending the sister-city relationship with Taiji. So now, the Japanese media are sitting up and listening, for the first time.
And I’m telling them: “This tour is to show journalists the GOOD things about Taiji.” You see, with The Cove movie out now, we don’t have to show the BAD things about Taiji. Soon, the whole world will know about the Taiji dolphin slaughter. And all Japanese will soon know about the cover-up that has occurred by the government in refusing to stop mercury-contaminated dolphin meat from being sold to unsuspecting Japanese consumers and children.
But Taiji can change this image of shame, if they want to. I will be telling them that the town of Nantucket used to be the capitol of the whale killing industry in the US. Now, it uses its history of whaling combined with whale-watching to market tourism very successfully. Whales and dolphins are worth more alive than dead. Taiji can do this, too. But the killing has to stop.
Yes, today was a good day for dolphins. Tomorrow, I will take journalists with me around town to show them Taiji. Tomorrow, too, I predict will be a good day for dolphins. Every day that we are here and the fishermen KNOW we are here, will likely mean no boats going out to round up dolphins for the killing Cove.
And because of The Cove movie, the dolphin killers must now fear hidden cameras and microphones, even when they THINK we are not here.
And soon the world spotlight from The Cove will shine a very bright light on Taiji.
Please help us by donating.
Your donations and efforts are a key part of our success so far on this tour of Taiji. For the first time, thanks to your support, the secrets of Taiji are being told to the Japanese people by television. And thanks to your help and interest, I can go to Taiji with journalists around me and not fear arrest. This is an historic moment for the dolphins and whales of Japan. I sincerely thank you and ask you to join us in spirit for this return to Taiji.
The Save Japan Dolphins Coalition consists of Earth Island Institute, Elsa Nature Conservancy of Japan, OceanCare, In Defense of Animals, Campaign Whale, and the Animal Welfare Institute.
Ric O'Barry in Japan
CATEGORIES: Environment, Global Health
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Hey, I think you have a copy error in the 6th last paragraph. I’m pretty sure you mean: “Whales and dolphins are worth more ALIVE than DEAD.” Aside from that, happy news. Now, how long are you going to be able to stay there though…?
Great news indeed! I agree with Nancey… I hope they didn’t set up a new location!
That’s exactly what he did say.
ummm thats exactly what he did write
This has been a great day for the dolphins. Let’s hope it doesn’t stay a great day, but hope that it continues for ever more.
It would be great to get some Japanese reactions to this great day - wouldn’t it?
Very good news, indeed!!! I just hope that they haven’t set up a new area for the dolphin killings that no one knows about.
yay! go ric! i’ve seen “the cove,” i’ve donated to ops and savejapandolphins, and i have a “this shirt saves” shirt and an “end it” hat, and i cancelled my plans to attend the dolphin show at the national aquarium and wrote a LONG letter full of questions to the aquarium’s director of communications. i’ve signed every petition on your site, and encouraged my friends to do the same. i started a petition to get a whale protection act changed to include dolphins (http://www.thepetitionsite.com/2/dolphins-are-whales-too). and i’m encouraging everyone i know to do the same!
Yay!!!
Yay!!!
I’m hoping that this is not just a ploy by the fishermen in Taiji to avoid media on this day only to resume the dolphin slaughter at a later date…but I’ll take this good news for now…great news, actually. The media needs to stay on this story.
great news. I saqw the movie and was amazed. We also bought a few things from save the dolphins Japan. Keep up the good work.
this just made my day!!!!
I am crying with joy. THANK YOU RIC AND LINCOLN!!!!!!!!!!!
ps- are we sure they haven’t moved the slaughter to another location?
Fantastic!! Cautiously optimistic. Agree w/ person who said journalists must stay on the story though. Do NOT trust the dolphin killers.
Way to go, Ric!!! And while you have the press, get them to see that all their whale killing is wrong.
Great news Rick, let’s hope the Japanese media stays on this like a ton of bricks to ensure Japan’s integrity as a whole does not go down the toilet all together.
Next move should be to go after these criminals in the Solomon Islands that seem to have a bunch of bottlenose dolphins in a pen awaiting shipment to Panama. Killing to kill for consumption or killing to catch for abusement parks is still the same thing to me!
where in and for what purpose will they be shipped to Panama? i am live here now and am unaware of this…please inform! thanks
Thank you so much for your courage and perseverance- the dolphins will be forever grateful for your help- and thank you for bringing this to all of us!
Ric & Lincoln and all,
I am above ecstatic to hear the news! This is a very good day for Dolphins! Here’s to the next 241 days being exactly the same! Congrats! Keep those cameras fully focused on that cove!
Jeff Shaw
Oceanic Defense
Activation Through Education
http://www.facebook.com/OceanicDefense
Yippie
This is such a great news! Very encouraging! Yahhhh!!!
Thank you for being there Ric… I hope it never happens again.. It’s been hard to sleep at night… but I feel better that you are there…
The world is watching….keep the pressure on!
Thank you for all your efforts!
I am literally in tears with joy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Let us hope this is the END OF IT for good.
-Anastasia Fontaines
INDEED, A GOOD DAY!
A good day for dolphins in Tajini…
God bless The Cove.
Great news!! Keep up the great work!
Mimi
Oceanic Defense Japan
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU FOR ALL THE EXHAUSTING WORK DONE. MEDIA COVERAGE IS SO IMPORTANT. THE JAPANESE PUBLIC NEEDS TO FIND OUT THESE DISGUSTING ACTS. MR. O’BARRY IS A HERO FOR HIS ONGOING WORK. WE MUST ALL HELP
Way to go Richard!!! I am so relieved that the movie “The Cove” has reached the hearts of so many people. Keep up the great work!
You put a huge smile on my face!!
Excellent news, I’m thrilled to hear this. However, G, the article does say whales and dolphins are worth more alive than dead. You read it wrong.
:DDDD
Such great news!
Keep it up and keep the pressure until we know its ended 100%!!!
this IS the best news…..thank you rick for all that you do!!!!
Hi Sweetie, Now these guys were EFFECTIVE. This is definitely worth a peruse. A mainland friend (fellow sailor) sent it over to me. xoxo
These are such people creatures..so they would trust. Thank you COVE for caring, now on with whales and wolves and bears and horses being slaughtered…
beautiful! the best thing i’ve heard all morning! aloha to all. I am going to go swim with these beautiful evolved beings in a few weeks. can’t wait - i am told they only come out if you call them with your heart
I would keep an eye on other areas that the fisherman could be using for the killing. Also, it seems like there’s a need for rotating shifts to keep the pressure on throughout the entire season. I’m trying to get money together so I can go to Taiji later on if a continued presence is needed!
So Stoked congrats all involved with The Cove - all our best, Jonno and Stefan from Surfing 50 States!!1
Thats just great news. Let’s hope that this is the beginning of the end of the slaughter.
Thank you, THANK YOU for your efforts on behalf of the dolphins. These creatures are very special beings on our planet and deserve to frolic in their natural environment. In fact, we need them to … — A Nantucket Island Native
OMG!!I have prayed for a miracle for my dolphin friends!!I really hope that the fishermen dont have some kinda ploy going on & that it really has stopped due to all the recent media attention!!This just shows that toghether we can make huge changes!!!
Bravo!!! Well done.
Keep up your great work to keep the Japanese government from allowing this slaughter. There is a country that since the 1800’s, the fishermen and dolphins coexist and help each other in catching fish. Why don’t the Japanese learn from them, instead of doing it the barbaric, useless way. I see the Japanese in their respect for each other, bowing to each other, their respect for their elders, the zen form of living, but then in their yin-yang way of life do a 180 and show us the dark side, the side that isn’t respectful or humane, and then I wonder, what kind of culture are they really? Dolphins have bigger brains than humans, and probably bigger hearts as well. To the Greeks of long ago, to kill a dolphin was a crime punishable by death, but then what does Japan believe in, greed, and apathy, and lack of respect for the environment? Don’t they know about the high mercury content of certain animals in the seas, yet feed children dolphin meat being sold as ‘whale meat’, knowing that the mercury could kill someone or cause severe health risks? Isn’t that premeditated murder? Japan is not an ignorant country, they surpass many in their high tech electronics, and their art, and many other things, but in this day and age, there is no excuse for the wholesale ‘open season’ on dolphins and whales. It’s despicable. I cannot respect a country that turns its back on this issue. Ignorance is no excuse, nor complacency.
This is Awesome news! I am so happy. I have been doing my part and I am so…. glad that something is working! Way to go Ric and all the dolphin advocates.. Thank you
Beautiful!
stop slaughter!!!
Congratulations! Don’t ever let anyone tell you that you never made a difference, cuz YOU are making a difference for Japan Dolphins! Thank you for all your dedication and relentless work!
Check it out! This happened today.
F*#k ya!!!
what a relief so glad to read this article
thank you so much….your hard work and dedication has paided off giving dolphins a life to swim free of fear in our oceanssss… God Bless you for all your hard work !!
Great News…lets hope it stays this way…..
They will not give up that easily there must be an enclosure some place where they are herding the dolphins..Keep up the fight.
Thank goodness that cruelty is sstopped and thanks to all who helped –keep up the great work–
Excellent news! It’s imperative to have media at the ready in case the fishermen begin. Major media will frighten them off.
The eductational angle and tourism is a great idea.
If you need more bodies there, please email me.
Congratulations, Ric! We are winning, thanks to your tireless work and Lois Psiohoyos! I am sure Cathy would be pleased and proud of what you have accomplished.
Yeah Ric! I’m glad to hear these results because I spent 30 minutes on the phone arguing with the Japanese embassy over why this is wrong and kept getting all the excuses you expose in The Cover. I think your approach of showing them how to make money without exploiting/killing dolphins is right on. Can you also get the Japanese equivalent of the USDA to declare that eating dolphin meat is not safe! Hooray that the dolpins get to live another day!
you are AMAZING!!!! this is the most wonderful news and the best day ever for dolphins. your efforts and persistance have paid off 10 fold……never give up. we are all here to support you, the dolphins, the earth and all that is good…..it brings tears of joy and a peace in my heart- something i haven’t felt since seeing you, the Cove and the useless slaughter of those precious dolphins.
This is great news. I am a film maker and this makes me hopeful that we can make a change in the world through this medium. See it, film it, change it. THANK YOU!
keep on with that excellent work, Ric, unlimited support !!!
It is a really amazing news! I got tears. I am Japanese, I’ve seen the Cove. I ‘ve been Taiji. It is really great news! I have read some of the comment of Japanese who angry and upset about the “Cove’movie. I am so glad Ric had a great contact with a nice police man and safe there. And, I am so happy to know that you are thinking about the future (people) of Taiji. The custom and strong belief need to have supports to change to new way for the harmony. Taiji needs to have help. I pray for the new relationships between dolphins, whales and human in Taiji, and all over the world. My three of Japanese friends in Maui just watched “Cove” today..”Cove “is a great movie what is revealing the lie and manipulation, challenging to think about the truth and awareness especially for Japanese.I will tell to Japanese about “Cove “ more. Thank you Ric !!!
This is incredible. Thank you so much for everything you do. This is an inspiration not only for this specific situation, but for activists world wide. Congratulations!
This is such a relief and so touching…my God, there is hope in the world, with so much hard work on your parts: thank you for reporting this news to us…Sutharshini (with Sea shepherd UK on-shore crew)
WOW!!! This is the best news ever! I can now share it with my year 5/6 class in New Zealand- we have just done a school petition against the dolphin slaughter in Taiji which we sent to Japan! We feared the worst, but Ric you are amazing! My kids are all there with you in spirit!!
I’ve been praying about this for a long time. And my prayer was finally answered today! I am studying to become a marine biologist and I can’t tell you how happy this news makes me feel. I took my son to see The Cove and I have spread the word on FB, but I will do better than that. I plan on going to Taiji next year to help end this slaughter, or to at least help Sea Shepherd Society. Thanks Ric. Keep up the good work in showing the actual slaughters to the IWC!!!
That is so great! I am so happy the film had such a positive impact. I hope the dolphin killers didn’t move to another location though. It may be a good idea to check other places along the coast where they could be doing their operation in secret again.
THANK YOU!!!! WONDERFUL NEWS!!! I just hope they haven’t moved this slaughter to some other cove or area away from media attention.
Great news! This has been with me since I saw the film has turned me into a wee online activist. I hope the fisherman are going to stay off the case and they are actually motivated to stop of their own accord for the long term and not just while the world’s eyes and are upon them. Change has to come from within after all and they still need to make an income…will keep watching this issue closely - hoping the tide had turned. Next we need to pressure the shark fin killers.
p.s. You and your team are doing wonderful work!
That’s wonderful! Hope more good news coming up soon and together we can make the world a better place to live in.
It’s so a good day for me then…
This is amazing news, your guys should be so so proud of what you have acheived. you have opened people eyes to the horrors that they have been blinded from. three cheers for The Cove team. Three cheers for the dolphins. xx
good news that cove has closed but keep up the good work so they cant just start again when this dies down.
Thank-you! Keep the light shining and we will all do our part. Thank-you for your love, your courage and your powerful intentions to end this slaughter
I have heard your interview on my local NPR station, and was so saddened by this, I asked my sister Joyce to listen when it came on again. Since then she has seen the movie; The Cove, and has been galvinized to help any way she can. Please keep up the good work, this is truly a good day for the dolphins and human kind as well.
This is awesome. The movie is still out in a lot of places by the way; people should go see it while they have the chance. Show your support!
Nice going Ric! Be safe and keep the info comming!!
Brook Aitken
The Cove
It a first good news for me, during two month
Wow! Great News! At school, our class has been researching dolphins and were distraught to discover that dolphins are being slaughered every year! We have just mailed a petition that we got most of the school ( about 650 kids ) to sign.I am going to see The Cove this weekend, as it is showing in Wellington.
Sabine ( age 10 ) .
Room 18, RBS, New Zealand.
WONDERFUL news!!!! This is a HUGE victory! Thank you for all you do.
I think that they could start it in anther cove so I’m worried!!! I think you are quite brave, Ric, I don’t think I could ever be able to do something like that, but I might want to try.
I would like to meet you one day.
from charlie im 9 im and im from NZ
no al massacro del delfino
you guys doing a great Job and thanks for the good news
It is nice to see that support and standing up for the animal’s rights has made changes. This gives us hope for all good things.
please i need to know if sombary can helpme to fly to taiji and be apart to ths amazing crusade for save them I am ready to go can you helpme.?
ALRIGHT! Today is a good day! How fantastic and makes me smile that the dolphins are safe today and hopefully tomorrow and the next day! Keep up the great work!
This a terrific thing! Good news and kets hope it continues!
The worldwide attention you are gaining is working. Keep the pressure on. Superb news. Great progress.
OK great. Now set up a dolphin watching boat business. Employ local young men. Make a competitive business. Then see what happens.
WOW!!!! Great news Ric!!! Thank you to you & your crew for your relentless efforts. You all are heroes!
WOW!!!! Great news Ric!!! Thank you to you & your crew for your relentless efforts.
Hello i heard the news and i think thats awesome we are going to stop this from around the world its really good we are helping the dolphins we can make a big diffrence and dolphins are a good animal to be around and they should not be treated like that. i dont like to see dolphins like that
From Frances age 9 NewZealand
Whats up I heard the news and i think that is fantastic. I really think we can make a diffrence and save the dolphins.i dont want to see many of them in capivity.
Georgia
age 10 New Zealand
This is big and great news!!
If we (dolphin and animal lovers) could be everywhere where they need us! I am so happy to know that at least something is changing! I really hope this will help open the eyes of Japan. I hope other countries understand also that animals like dolphins are better alive than dead.
Thank you Ric for your ongoing pursuit. Thank you to all the journalists who showed up. Let’s keep the pressure on and ensure this is not forgotten until the Cove is free for all dolphins. I encourage all to donate to aid this cause. (I have just done so.) xoxox
This is fantastic news……a good day for the dolphins, I pray it continues. I really admire you Mr O’Barry, I have read your books and greatly admire what you do. I only hope I have the chance and honor to meet you one day.
Thanks for all you do for the dolphins.
Julie Graham
Was today also a good day?
What great news! I hope you can stay there awhile and they haven’t just moved their location..I haven’t seen ‘the cove’ yet, but plan on it soon. Thank you soo much for all your hard work~I wish eeryone was as helpful and kind as you..keep up the great work you do
Congratulations on a brilliant and stealth action which has had such a powerful result! May it filter to all other animals who are at the mercy of human greed. You are making a HUGE difference and may we all learn from it. Thank you!
I was so happy to read your email this morning. I guess with persistance a lot of people have started waking up to the reality of what they are actually doing. Waiting for more news.
great news lets hope they have stoped for good
You have no idea how this lifts my spirits. Well done to all involved parties. This is the best news I have heard in a long time. Please give yourselves a HUGE pat on the back from me. It takes a brave person to witness and document such atrocities - WELL DONE!!!!!!!
Thank you from us in BC Ric! You ARE the change we want to see in the world. ANY ONE of us can do BIG things in SMALL ways all over the world. It’s the only way to live authentically and fix the world, and it creates JOY!!
Hi Mr. O’Barry,
Thanks for dedicating your life to marine mammal preservation and for towing the line for the rest of us. I wish you and your family all the good fortune you have bestowed upon the dolphins at present. Hopefully, Taiji fishermen will come around and rely on eco-tourism or another dolphin-friendly income rather than slaughtering dolphins for a living. The film will hopefully create a tourist enslaught upon the islands, allowing for new options for the locals in sustainable living, as slaughtering dolphins is not only unethical, but also unsustainable. Maybe then, when the tourists began arriving, and the money starts rolling in without bloodshed, the Taiji fishermen will see the dolphin as a creature worth protecting, studying, and respecting, and ultimately, a creature that can truly guarantee their lively hood sans murder.
Hi Richard i would like to know if you are on Facebook as i would like to link you cauce to my facebook page called “fan of the dolphin’s” we need to support each other cauces Dirk
Another good thing happening to the world!!
Hi Guys please come and show your support on my facebook page called “fan of the dolphin’s” thanks Dirk Gill
they said that in the US they are worth more ALIVE then DEAD
hey! its sure is great news to all of us! the moment the movie came out in australia, i got my ticket, with a packet of tissues and watched it! i think its absolutely brilliant to expose them in this way! and i hope they do not arrest you anymore! me and my partner have donated but we felt we should be spreading the word as quickly as possible as it was already the 23rd of august. i now have a facebook page to let get all my 400 friends and their 400 friends to spread the word around!
I am so glad to read the news letter ..Thank you all for making it better.. I for one, will keep on spreading the news to assist us in this BIG event..
very good news
Wish there were more people like you in this world!! xx
De wereld is vandaag van de dolfijnen, hopelijk voor heel lang. Een gelukkige dag voor iedereen, felicitación!
amazing.thanks for this uplifting article and thanks for your work.
You and Lincoln are true heroes. This is the best news I have heard all day.
This is wonderful news,but being an insanelylover of all animals,crazy about dolphins,whales, porpuses and all other marine life,Iwant all the killing and murdering of the animals to stop,cos thats what it is,murder,but CONGRATULATIOS on such good work,its a start.Letshope it stays this way and continues.Dani
This is very good news for our brothers the dolphins, we will continue to pray for their freedom from these horrific massacres. Thank you for your unfailing dedication and courageous work. I am with you all in spirit.Be Strong-Pam.
Thank you Ric and congratulations! For me it was the best birthday present…!!!
EXCELLENT!!! It is people like YOU Ric, who will make this world a better place! A huge thank you from me.
I think the best to way stop these atrocities from happening is world media exposure,shine the media spotlight on whats going on,and the world will take action in their horror,please let us know what we dolphin lovers can do all over the world
Congratulations to everybody who helped stop this dolphin slaughter in any way, even if it was only signing petitions on the net because it all has helped and you are all my hero’s.You are amazing Ric.
What wonderful news - well done everyone!
I have been living in Japan for 10 years and have been waiting as long for this! Thank you! I will try to get out to Taiji this weekend. Hope to see you there!
Great news, but I fear that as soon as you go, they’ll start back up. Are all the spots still there where the dophin killers collect together and chop up the dolphins?
Thank god for people like you Ric,long may you continue your battle.Stay there until it is definite they are not going to go on their horrific slaughter.The people of Japan MUST be aware now of this terrible murder going on in their country,and find a way to stop it for ever.
Hey Richard you must feel so proud of your work, because i am. So many people talk about it but few people do. Well done! There should be more people like you to keep safe natures beauties.
mark
That is wonderful. God Bless you All! I am very grateful and appreciate all that you and your son are doing for the cause.Thank you somuch. Gods speed and have a wonderful mission.
yay
!!!
What a wonderful story, it is a good day for the dolphins!!!
I just arrived back from seeing The Cove - what a strong film! What an excellent news. GREAT achievement bringing such an essential change for the dolphins and to the world. Good on you Ric and all involved, we all can make a difference. Thanks for giving such inspiration - we need it to turn the tide.
We need to help keep Whales & Dolphins alive they shouldn’t be killed by no one & I mean no one!
All Whales & Dolphins shouldn’t be killed by no one & I mean no one! “Lets help keep Whales & Dolphins Alive”!
I got tears in my eyes and yelled YES!!!!! When I read this! I am so proud of all that you have done for these wonderful animals. Thank you for being such an amazing person. You are my idol and I hope that I can recruit people for you to donate for your organization! Congrats!!!
WONDERFUL NEWS ! Thankyou !!
contgrats The cove did it. awesome!!!
You’re amazing, keep doing what you’re doing!!
That’s awsome news!!!
Those are very good news. I hope someday those kills will stop forever…
Look what I saw in the news today!
Laura
Thank you so much for your courage and perseverance
ThThis is such a great news!think you so much for your courage and perseverance
It is wonderful to know that such an important mission has succeeded in its cause.I believe we can always be successful like this always in times to come…
It’s far too early to tell, but it may be good news. I sure hope so. The Japanese coverage was (surprise, surprise) totally noncommittal and touched on none of the serious issues such as mercury. I only heard pathetic pleas saying the tradition should not be stopped. Tell me, why is compassion for animals such a taboo word here? Isn’t compassion the core of buddhism…or is that, like too much of christianity, only for the humans?
Thanks, Ric. When is “The Cove” coming to Japan?
Do you think the film had an effect or Broome or what?
As a dolphin & Orca trainer myself, I don’t like much when you go and chase marine parks Ric, but this action I completely support !
I had just sent out a note to friends on facebook to pray that the heart of the fishermen be softened & the dolphin be protected. thx for update. it’s a long way to go til May — any idea how long this peace will last. will u stay til end of season. Wrote letter to Bill Clinton asking for his intervention. — somehow i think you would get a faster response. thank you so much for bringing this to world’s attention.
I had just sent out a note to friends on facebook to pray that the heart of the fishermen be softened & the dolphin be protected. thx for update. will u stay til end of season. am writing a letter to Bill Clinton asking for his intervention. — somehow i think you would get a faster response. thank you so much for bringing this to world’s attention.
yea!!!!!!!!!!!!that’s great news. any idea how long it will last. please pray with me that the spirit oflove and gentleness enter the heart of the fishermen & protect the dolphin. love to get Bill Clinton on the case — somehow i think you’d have more clout with him than i. thank u for bringing this to the world’s attention. Yea Australia!!!
\o/ very nice!
Ric: Your courage, and commitment to this essential and worthwhile pursuit is greatly appreciated by all persons of good conscience. Thanks, Mitch Smith
well done for all your hard work has finally paid off!
well done for all your hard work has finally paid off!
Dearest dolphin angel, you are truly a special spirit and this is a great day for Rick O’Barry as well as the dolphins. I called the White House and spoke to a receptionist regarding Obama taking this issue directly to the Prime Minister of Japan. This is just the beginning for the entire world to step up and change the wrongs that hurt so many. I’m with you all the way and I will continue to work on your behalf. I signed the petition and will make a donation as well. May God be with you and our important dolphin friends.
Are there plans to engage the fishermen in other meaningful work? If they were trained in other jobs would a path be made to stop the killings. This is probably all the fishermen know, is it not a legacy that needs an intervention?
The Oceans have to be protected–just recently a baby whale washed up on the beach in Jupiter Florida suffering from an unknown illness–keep up your good work! I have some media ideas for you–contact me!
Friday 5th Sept we (on way back from a dive) saw a huge pod of dolphin’s outside Perhentian, north east coast Malaysia. Maybe 50 of them… some playing around the boat. AWESOME!!!
GO RIC GO!!! This is so inspiring to read…tears of joy flow down my face and a my heart swells with hope - everyone involved is making a difference for these beautiful creatures and our ocean. I was blessed to see The Cove in Janaury and meet the crew - inspiring, courageous and humble individuals. Let’s continue the wave of education and help Japan stop this unacceptable situation. My thoughts and prayers are with Ric, team and the dolphins swimming off the shores in Taiji - be strong and safe and know you have made a difference in our world.
Thank-you for your live, Ric O’Barry
Yaay thats the way to Go Ric.. A greate day for the dolphins! Thanks to you:)
Ric, please keep us updated. We want to know the latest news from Taiji. Today is Sep 7th, has there been any update?
I thought this post is about Tai Ji (a form of martial art… or more commonly spelt Tai Chi). Haha!
I saw The Cove and was very moved and impressed by this gigantic task undertaken by Mr. O’Barry and the crew. I did not know about this until I watched this film.
I became interested and searched for more information. To my surprise, I found reports of a similar slaughter of pilot whales, beaked whales and dolphins carried out every year at the Faroe Islands (Denmark). If true, why it is not addressed in The Cove.
Thank you and my respects.
Congratulation Ric seems like the message is starting to filter in.
Keep pressing u are almost there.
Thank u for making the world a better place
Very good news
You have amazing perserverance. We need to learn from you. Thank you for saving these dolphins.
Thank you Richard O’Barry for continueing your effort to save the dolphins I read your book Behind the Dolphin Smile when i was a teenager still one of my favorites
My wife and I have always wanted to visit Japan. Seeing The Cove has changed our minds and lives. We will never visit Japan or any country that supports them unless they change their ways and ban all whale/dolphin crimes.
I took my daughters and friends to watch The Cove twice. Both times, it totally wrenched me to watch this shocking, gruesome atrocity — a horror that had to be documented and told. I am so very heartened to read that the movie has garnered widespread attention from lawmakers and the media. And I am even more thrilled to hear that the fishermen have not yet turned up….I hope they never do again. Thank you so much Mr OBarry for your courage, your passion and efforts which millions finally can see and appreciate.
great news thanks keep up the great work best wishes give my heart to the dolphins and whales
god bless you Ric and all involved keep up with all your efforts its fantastic
Just read in Toronto Star that the slaughter has commenced and that few Japanese know about it. I suggest everyone boycott anything that is Japanese in style or culture at their local malls - sushi etc. Just give it up. Do something to get world’s attention. Keep blogging!
Here’s the Toronto Star article http://www.thestar.com/article/694948
about the renewed slaughter. Boycott all Japanese products!
Really great to read that the dolphins can be left alone ..I hope the Japanese stop killing the whales also…………..
What a wonderful day indeed! It shows that we can influence the Japanise to change, in the senseless killing! Today the dolfins and, hopefully one day very soon, we can stop the senseless killing of whales,they are calling,” sciense! “
I am so happy, this is incredible!!!!
Just emailed these 2 animal rights org.’s to step up the pressure.
Hi PETA & IFAW…Recently, a documentary called “The Cove”
(Click: http://thecovemovie.com/ ) reported the massacre of thousands of dolphins off the coast of Japan…the carnage is about to begin this week and I urgently need your help stop it. I am a teacher and my elementary students are deeply disturbed at what they see as a merciless hunt of an intelligent mammal into extinction…and I promised them that many adults were working hard to stop the slaughter from occurring this year. Any animal rights footage or media presence in Taiji, Japan - exposing the sale and slaughter of dolphins - may be enough to scare the hunters away as they try to work in a cloak of secrecy and darkness to carry out this dolphin slaughter in order to sell it as “whale” meat. {Click: “Has Japan’s Dolphin Slaughter Been Prevented?” http://www.alternet.org/blogs/peek/142358/has_japan%27s_dolphin_slaughter_been_prevented/#comments}
If we can stop the Canadian seal hunt, surely we can stop this crime from occurring again. And please sign the global petition with over 37, 000 signatures…Click: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/campaign
Rick we met like 25 years ago. I was doing an interview with you, with my friend Carol in Miami, then NYC. We shared ideas about the dolphins that needed to be cared for from captivity and abuse etc. and your times with Flipper(s) and Greenpeace.
I am so happy your still doing something for them, great work. My mind goes out to you.
I am still shooting film.
Rick Gioiello NYC.
ric you are my heroe,
Yay!! Way to go Ric and Lincoln! Have seen “The Cove” and was very disturbed. So happy to hear it made such a difference in Taiji.
Hey Ric,
Very wonderful news! Lots of luck to you. You have my full support. It gives us all some hope that dolphins and whales will live in our oceans for many, many, many years to come! I am also afraid of what Nancey said. We all hope that the fisherman won’t find some place els kept secret from the public to continue the killings. That worries me.
Good article, thank you
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Thank goodness there are people like you to care and ACT to save these beautiful and sensitive animals. I have seen them swim free and frolick wildly when in Australia and it is something I will remember always and makes me smile even on a bad day!!!! Keep up the good work and well done.
Very,very good news,
i´m so happy you saved the lives of thousend of dolphins.
but is there not the possibility that the dolphin fishers moved to a diffrent place on the coast to continue the killing??as it is a lot of money they lost.??¿¿
or they start the killing later??
How is it possibel to keep the situation clear?
Well done!Keep up the good work!
Yay!!!!!!!!