Dolphins: Senseless ritual mass killing spree: Shame on the Faroe Islands. You should hang your heads in shame
79A scenic village, set by a sea of blood
Background.
I recently received an email from a friends that had content which made my blood run cold as it made me seethe, all at once. The disturbing pictures told the tale in a way that words could never have expressed. However there was an explanation of what was going on, an attached petition to sign in the hope that this practice may finally be stopped and the outraged sentiments, of each person that had received this email, who also found it hard to believe that this was the Faroe Islands in the 21st Century.
It would seem that this footage has been doing the rounds but I offer no apologies if you have already seen it.
ACTION IS NEEDED AND IS NEEDED NOW
A Blood Bath in the Sea-And the crowd looked on
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The Faroe Island's destruction of the Dophin population
At first I was not sure how true the email was. The text which accompanied the graphic images stated that:-
"This is a ritual in which all young men participate, to mark their transition to adulthood......
WHAT A TRULY DISGUSTING & WOEFUL RITUAL......DENMARK SHOULD BE MADE ANSWERABLE AND HANG THEIR HEADS IN SHAME!!
IT IS WITHOUT ANY DOUBT THAT THESE PHOTOS PROVE THAT THE ONLY TRUE BEAST OR ANIMAL ON THIS EARTH IS MANKIND!!
THESE BOTTLE NOSE DOLPHINS ARE ONE OF THE FEW SPECIES THAT WILLINGLY APPROACH HUMANS OUT OF CURIOSITY & THIS IS HOW THEY ARE REWARDED!!"
As someone who is a human being with a good heart I was appalled. Animal welfare and cruelty seems to be getting more problematic around the world as we call ourselves more civilised. If these are the facts then it is just a further example of mankind's abuse of the power and privileged position that he and she holds.
Researching a little further I saw that YouTube holds distressing video proof of this behaviour. I have selected one of the shorter videos in order to minimise distress. More explicit footage is there for you to view if necessary. However, no matter how long or short the video is, there is no escaping the painful reality.
Dolphins are under attack around the world and it would seem that they are an easy target for many.
PETITIONS
The on line petition has sadly far less signatures than one would have hoped. My email included a round robin type petition and so hopefully this will add to those already actioned. The petition is now closed but there are other actions you can take such as circulating the email on the petition link to as many people as possible and making your collective voice heard. As you will see from the link the slaughter includes that increasingly rare wonder of the world the Whales species.
Of course there is nothing stopping you from starting your own petition, in your part of the world.
Reasons for the killing
Well my email led me to believe that it was some sort of out dated passage of rite into manhood. No, I thought. Surely not in a modern EEC, European Economic Country, such as Denmark. The EEC, as we all know has caused a song and dance about much more trivial goings on such as how straight a cucumber should be and whether the tomatoes are too large in some countries. Surely it will have made its voice heard, as a means of stopping this mass killing? Wrong, I'm afraid.
The comments left om this hub have been a mixed bag. I have been called a stupid woman and worse as "Its only an animal". Recently I have received more aggressive comments stating that I should get my facts right and it is The Faroe Islands and not Denmark. However I had ststed clearly at the beginning of this hub that a lot depended how true the reports were.
So I have amended this hub to the Faroe Islands.
However there seems to be no doubt that this barbarism continues and for pointless reasons.
Looking around the Internet it would seem that this slaughter keeps happening over and over again. This year, 2009, has been no exception.
If you care please make sure that this killing is not achieved and sustained by people's ignorance and apathy.
Write to Danish Embassies and their ambassadors in your country, Faroe Island representatives, lobby your politicians and, if enough people show that they disapprove, hopefully this practice will be resigned to the same garbage bin as bear and dog baiting, whale hunting and fox hunting.
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Major difference between slaughtering farmed animals for food under some controlled processes to minimize animal cruelty vs. slaughtering wild dolphins like in feeding frenzy and withou accountability to grow back their population...so let's not kid ourselves...what Denmark is doing is indigenous savage.
Ok guys this is sad and wrong but I have to agree they are animals. Of course what they are doing is really sad but again animals
You wrote a great article exposing this kind of killing. It breaks my heart to know this happens. I've been aware of this for quite some time. Still I feel you have done a great job informing those who may not have known. Thank you for your article.
i live in south africa, and i am a member of greenpeace. i only recieved this mail yesterday. i have sent it on to them, and asked them to post it on their website. The senseless killing should stop!!
still its senseless killing ethel smith.....y not u eat anchovies...!!!!
Where is Greenpeace on this? I searched throughout their website for "Faroe Islands Senseless Killing" and couldn't find anything on this. Shame Faroe Islands.
I am very surprised...what is happening?? Where are the specialized institutions, I mean all the "green" institutions which protect animal rights against cruelty, Do we need to give them this notice?? It is their responsability, those institutions must work efficiently, they have to avoid this horrible practices.
Please, wake up those green ionstitutions to stop this cruelty against animals.
Thank you
where are all the green organizations or worldwide institutions??? in order to protest, avoid and stop this very wild and horrible tradition????
are they only a image??? Please, it is necessary to stop this cruel situation. And I ask you to reveal not only to the specialized institutions but the whole world and all embassies to stop it.
I hope so
hey...so two wrongs make a right?
let me make this clear. As I mentioned above, pilot whales aren't killed worse than the other animals. It sounds like the whales are being killed brutally but not as brutally as the other animals... My mistake... The pilot whales are killed in a very humane way. If they weren't, whole nations would be after us. But now, only some people and some organizations are after us. ;-)
Sadly I am all too aware of what goes on in some slaughter houses. I try to keep a balanced view but as an animal lover hate cruelty.
I understand your point of view. But I am trying to point out that if you think whaling is horrible and you still eat meat, I think you're just a hypocrite. But if you a vegetarian for instance, I understand what you're saying because then you neither agree with the killing of whales nor the killing of other animals. Because Whales aren't killed more brutally than other animals. We'll have to be careful what we're doing with these whales because the public and the media can see it. And then we're in trouble (if we aren't already). What's going on in the slaughter houses, will nobody find out. That's why we'll have to be careful when killing whales due to threats of the world. So there's nothing to be worried about. But I respect your opinion. I myself can agree if we look from the perspective of a vegetarian or some cultures. Otherwise I don't agree and hope that you'll soon find out what's going on in those slaughter houses. Because the main threat of the Faroe Islands is the people, who aren't aware of where their own meat comes from.
Hey thanks you for sharing your perspective. I do not agree but you have used your knowledge to clarify some points.
For me it is still dreadful but we shall always remain poles apart
What i was saying was that I'm from the Faroe Islands so I should know i bit of the whaling. These Whales aren't killed brutally. They're being killed in the most humane way as possible. They maybe suffer from stress in 30 minutes until they reach land. That's certainly better than suffering from stress all their lives as pigs and chickens do. They live in cages so small that they can't even stand up. When the whales reach the beach their, we drag them from deep water with a hook which we place in their blowhole. And then are their spinal nerves cut so they die within few seconds; after 5 seconds they're unconcious and after 10 seconds they're dead. And only, I believe, 20 beaches are approved as whaling beaches so the whales won't get hurt when they reach land. So we make it as humane as possible, more than many farmers do with their animals. So before judging, try to do some research, folks! Just because the water is red, it isn't crucial that the whales' death was painfull. If you killed the animals which are normally are killed in the slaughter houses and killed them in the ocean, the water would exact the same. The only thing which's different between the killings in slaughter houses and on the beach is that the people can see it. And I love the quote that "if slaughter houses would have glass walls, everyone would be vegetarian". And remember: the meat you eat doesn't appear in the stores automatically.
Hey-If you pop back and repost your comment without the link I will approve it.
Thanks kkalmes for the visit to this dreaful hub of mine. Thanks for your added input. Hope it helps Anita
Hello Anita, I voted thumbs up and awesome because in my book awesome means excellent and it is excellent that you have prevailed the whacko regime and stood fast to your principles. This is barbaric regardless of where or who is perpetrating it.
A great organization that has worked to save whales would be a great ally in this fight... www.nrdc.org/
Nonprofit dedicated to protecting wildlife and wild places, ensuring a safe and healthy environment for all living...
You can write to Executive Director...
NRDC - Peter Lehner
Anita that is what happened to me last year. Keep up the fight
I am from Canada, I received this email today - and was stunned. I thought it was a hoax and came across this hub. Could this really happen in the present world? absolutely disgusting!!! all in the name of a ritual? please approach world recognized animal welfare organizations to help stop this brutality.
that is something to think about, how can people effect a natural animal thats so free.
Its beyone me...
Ceren thank you for your input
Hello from Turkey,
I am terrible sad for that beautiful creatures. Please look at their faces, dolphins are happy animal. You can all see how outgoing and humane they are. And we all know the stories. Many times they save people from sharks and sea accident. So I really wonder, how people can be so devilish???
This tradition or whatever it is, is exactly a slaughter!!
Please come together and STOP the blood and death!!!
amira thanks for your input.
Ethel, am a Malaysian. I heard about this brutality and after what I seen in here... I just don have any words to describe what these people are doing to animals that are gentle and harmless. My daughter loves watching n reading about whales and dolphins.....I just could not imagine myself telling her "human like you and me are hurting and killing these beautiful creation from GOD"
If the leaders of the world could stop the war....why couldn't they stop these brutality?
Stefan I understand your feelings entirely
I know Eileen. I thought it was a set up first. Appalling like so many other things. Its a sad world for too many creatures and people.
Ethel, I saw this on TV a while back and just could not believe people could actual be in the water in all that blood committing this offence to the poor dolphins.
And we call our selves humans. It is shocking the thing people can do.
So much cruelty
This is just awful. I can't believe what I just read and seen. I do thank you for making me (and many others) aware of what cruelty is going on on our Earth.
Thanks apricot. I was corrected by someone, as it is apparently the Faroe Islands. It is horrible no matter where it is happening though
Yes, I had heard of this happening but I admit I hadn't seen any photos - they really brought home the horror of it all. I find it so bizarre that this is going on - and in Denmark of all countries. The message needs spreading - I'll do what I can to help. Thanks for that ethelsmith!
These are such beautiful and intelligent animals,this barbarism has got to stop! We all need to be aware of what goes on in other countries rather than not see it as our business. We all need to work together to stop this cruelty.
Angel keep spreading the word.
Don't just hope! Don't just feel bad! Do something! I am doing all I can writing letters to talk shows to exploit it! Writing all organizations and all people of power! This is our world and look what we are treating everything in it like! Please do something! Anything! I Pray to motivate you!
Angel
what is wrong with this people! i really hope something is done soon to stop this sick and cruel acts that these stupid people actually practice! and they actually call it a tradition! dumb danish and japanese!
This needs to stop soon. This is inhumane, and I can't believe this event still exist to this day. Very cruel! And what a way to teach the kids to be mature. This is not an act of maturity--totally the opposite of it. I am beyond appalled by this. Really sick to my stomach watching these beautiful creatures being slaughtered.
Sickos kill innocent animals!!!!
Pl.stop this barbarian act.
stop this brutality!!!!
This is horrible! I will post this in my Facebook account to rally Filipinos to help stop such monstrosity!
Hopefully though there is an easier way of making our officials hear about such inhumane acts.
Thanks for sharing this with us, although disturbing.
Pinkhawk awareness and support will go a long way
...I could feel the piercing emotions fragmentizing my bursting heart when I saw the pictures... i think they are really out of their mind, it seems that they can't differentiate what is wrong from what is right..how could they say that they are adult now?- absolutely (more than 100%)this is not the right way to prove it...
However I don't have the right to judge people from Faroe Island just like that for I don't even know them but...I JUSTtt CANnn'nnT UNDERSTANnnDdd WHYyy?- what's their basis? how they came up with this tradition?
.....All in all, this need to be STOPped forever!
Thank you ma'am for letting us know this, i'll support the campaign to stop this cruel tradition.
Barbaric. These people should have their human citizenship revoked....but how could that happen? They are not humans.
A Human Being would see blood everytime he looked at his hands.
Thanks mohamad. Animal cruelty needs to be stamped out for sure.
Hi I'm an iranian I tried to sign the petition but i was so late unfortunatly. I'm so confused about it that how can human, without any nationality separating can do something like it. It's awful and must be stoped. After be out it's a shame for all of us, if it continue.
Thanks so much about your report.
Thanks for the support Warlock. Let's hope some extra publicity will help put a stop to this.
Guess some people are just intimidated that a beautful creature is far more intelligent & peaceful than them.
Those people are idiots. Worse. I just don't think theres a suitable word for those freaks.
Thank you for sharing this net-wide, and good luck.
So traveler68 I stand corrected. It is the shame of the Faroe Islands. This hub was written in good faith and I hold my hands up. I have not simply deleted your comments.
The abusive comments I did receive from a danish person were deleted though. Their vehement attack seemed to say that such killing was normal.
If you feel that it is not please make sure that you lobby the appropriate people and stop this barbaric slaughter.
It is not about politics or religion but cruelty
It is amazing, how little everyone knows about the countries? You blame Denmark for an independent country's actions. So if Canada does something wrong, do you blame Great Briton? Just because they !share the same Queen! It is the same with Denmark and the Faroe Islands.
Is it horrible? Yes! I agree, should it be done, NO, but blame them, not Denmark. They have been independent since 1948!!! So this has been sent out around the world on email and added to the animosity for Denmark because of the Muslim cartoons. Thanks for not getting your information correct…now what else is wrong in this article, if this is!!! Think about that before writing something and not checking the facts!!!
I agree everythingmouse. All God's creatures are amazing but Dolphins are just so intelligent. If people need to kill for food so be it but make the killing humane. This is, as you say, terrible.
This is so terrible Ethel. These are such amazing animals it is horrifying to think that this is happening right now.
It seems to be some sort of right of passage for young men. Absolutely appaling whatever the reason though, I agree.
The fact that this could exist in modern times makes you question a lot of things.. this is really disappointing, especially for a country in western Europe! So does anyone know exactly why they do this yet?
Thanks James and Badcompany. We visited Zoomarine in Portiugal a couple of years ago and were in awe of these beautiful creatures. I just cannot fathom what it is with some countries and their behaviour. I know we are all different but to allow such cruelty.
This is depravity! Do they eat them? If not, it is way beyond the pale. Even if they do, it is sick. I never heard about this, uh, "ritual." At least you brought it to light.
Thanks all and lets hope we can make our voices heard against such behaviour. I recently read a hub on strange foods that told off Chinese eating monkey brains from live monkeys, that were simply drugged.
So many abominations how can we say that we are civilised?
And for those religious readers, whatever happened to all God's creatures?
I thought it was a photography trick when I saw the first picture, as the tale unfolded, yes I was shocked. As hard as it is to write and share these things, thank you for having the courage, ignorance is not bliss, the world needs to know to have the opportunity to fix itself.
How disgusting it looks... Why they are doing this?
Doesn't matter what nationality, we should all be ashamed if we allow this to go on without a giant outcry.
The human race needs a serious tune-up.
Ethel,
I almost commented in my latest hub back to you about man being the most cruel animal on this earth..........and what do I read next? Your hub regarding this which absolutely confirms it. This is terrorism of a different kind but terrorism none-the-less.
Not only should people in Denmark be ashamed, but people from everywhere should shout out against these abhorrent atrocities.
As a great animal lover, this could not have been easy for you to write and show. Job well done and thanks from animal lovers everywhere for exposing this. Let's hope this does some good.
Yuck, I have Danish ancestry and I am ashamed, ashamed, ashamed.
Thanks Julie. There is always the worry that some readers will get their kicks out of such hubs. However I hope it does more good than harm. There is so much happening that we never here about.
Awful. I started a hub on the fur trade a while back and just couldn't stomach completing it - well done. I know how hard it is.
metmet 2 months ago
I've just recently heard about this thing, and since I'm from Denmark I find it extremely anoying that so many non-danish people doesn't now the following:
Faroe Islands are not a part of Denmark. Faroe Islands have their own government and different laws. We are not the same country as them! We don't even have the same language or money. Denmark is a part of the European Union (EU), the Faroe Islands are not a part of EU. Basicly Denmark has as much saying in this as any other country in the world.
In Denmark it's illegal to kill whales and it's also illegal to eat, sell or import whale meat.
It is also very rare to see whales in Denmark. Last summer we had a beached whale and it was all over the news in the entire country. Everybody did everything they could to try save the poor whale and get it back out in the ocean...
If you look at a map and find Denmark and Faroe Islands you will see that we are not even close to them... theres thousands of kilometers between the countries and seperated by ocean. This is not something that is happening right in front of us.
And also the Faroese people are not killing them for fun, it's not a celebration/tradition thing... It's food for them! It does look kind of brutal though... :/