Denmark defends whale and dolphin slaughter in Faroe Islands – 1,085 dolphins killed since 21 July 2013
[Keep in mind that Japan still poaches dolphins at Taiji and whales in the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary; Iceland and Norway continue to poach whales in the Atlantic.]
By Erwin Vermeulen
28 August 2013
(SSCS) – On 27 August 2013, around 2pm local time, another 51 Pilot whales were butchered in the Ferocious Isles. This time in the village Hvalvik, in the East of the Faroe island, Streymoy, not far from the capital, Tórshavn. The name means Whale Bay and 188 Pilot whales were killed here in May 2009. Thankfully, on the evening of the 26th, a Grind was reportedly aborted in Suðuroy when darkness fell, otherwise the kill numbers would be even higher.
When we reported on the bloody grind season earlier this month (Brutal Death and Suffering; Business as Usual in The Faroe Islands) we asked you to write to the Danish authorities. On 8/22/13, Maria Padilla Arndt (mararn@um.dk), Assistant Cultural and Press Officer of the Danish Consulate General in New York, replied to a concerned world citizen in the following email to defend the Grind. The e-mail is a combination of standard apologist platitudes and full-blown lies. Sea Shepherd’s replies are added to the text:
- The Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs has received your e-mail where you express your feelings caused by an e-mail you have received containing pictures of alleged dolphin killings in Denmark. The pictures may have been accompanied by inflammatory and misleading comments, for example that they depict a rite of passage for young men. We take note of the fact that you have found the above-mentioned pictures, and the accompanying text, disturbing. The pictures are from catches, not of dolphins, but of pilot whales in The Faroe Islands.
Sea Shepherd: Pilot whales are currently classified in the family Delphindae and are therefore dolphins. In the end they are all cetaceans, mammals, intelligent sentient beings. August 13, 430 Atlantic White-sided dolphins were slaughtered; Bottlenose dolphins are also killed in The Faroes. See your own link: Whales and Whaling in the Faroe Islands The pictures are very selective, and partly outdated.
Sea Shepherd: No outdated photos have to be used as 1,085 dolphins have been slaughtered since July 21 this year and footage of the bloodbaths is being widely circulated within the Faroese press and by Faroese citizens through social media. As you seem to be interested in the subject, you are advised to find more information about the Faroese pilot whale drive fishery on the homepage http://www.whaling.fo. In Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia on the Internet, you may also find an article called “Whaling in the Faroe Islands”. The facts, which you will find, include the following:
- The purpose of the catch is to produce food,
Sea Shepherd: Killing for food is not an excuse for cruelty in the same way as the need for labor is not an excuse for slavery. Further, Pilot whales are unfit for food as stated in your own link: Dietary recommendation on the consumption of pilot whale meat and blubber and in this one: Faroe islanders told to stop eating ‘toxic’ whales
- The hunt is regulated by the authorities,
Sea Shepherd: The regulations don’t work, as there are no repercussions for gross neglect. A few examples of neglect are listed in this article: Brutal Death and Suffering; Business as Usual in The Faroe Islands. If investigations into cruelty are part of the regulations, can you then point us to the publications of the results of these investigations?
- The catch is biologically sustainable,
Sea Shepherd: The IUCN lists the long-finned Pilot Whale as ‘data deficient’. You cannot claim sustainability if population figures are unknown. The IUCN has the following to say about this species: “Threats that could cause widespread declines include high levels of anthropogenic sound, especially military sonar and seismic surveys, and by catch. Primary threats that could cause widespread declines include entanglement in fisheries and competition with squid fisheries. The combination of possible declines driven by these factors is believed sufficient that a 30% global reduction over three generations (72 years; Taylor, et al., 2007) cannot be ruled out (criterion A).”
“There is no information on global trends in abundance. There is little information on subpopulations within the species (Donovan, et al., 1993)” Only NAMMCO calls the catch sustainable. Their opinions are not credible as this organization was founded by whaling nations to protect their industry from conservation efforts. Even if the catch would prove to be sustainable, this does not justify the cruelty.
- The Faroese authorities are making continuous efforts to improve the killing methods.
Sea Shepherd: Torture does not ask for improving of its methods and instruments, but for cessation. There are no humane ways to kill a highly intelligent, socially complex whale or dolphin and the drive in itself is abusive. If anywhere in Europe you would handle a cow, pig or chicken the way these dolphins are butchered, you would end up in jail.
- The Faroe Islands are an archipelago in the North East Atlantic. The economy of the islands is heavily dependent upon the sea and its living resources.
Sea Shepherd: The Faroe Islands don’t need to kill dolphins for food as the era of isolation and dependence on maritime resources is far behind us. There is a high standard of living in the islands and supermarkets are everywhere.
- The islands are an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark. Affairs regarding industry, agriculture, the environment, fishing and whaling, are subject to Faroese autonomy.
Sea Shepherd: The Danish foreign ministry should not hide behind autonomy of the Faroese in commercial or industrial matters. It was the Danish navy that showed up when Sea Shepherd ships visited the islands in 2010 and 2011. Danish subsidies are an important source of income for the Faroese. The islanders would go independent if they were able to hold up their own pants. Denmark financially assists the abusers and can therefore share in the responsibility and shame as well. This is a moral issue that affects and blemishes the Kingdom of Denmark.
- If you, after having acquainted yourself with the facts of the matter, should wish to address the Faroese authorities regarding pilot whaling, the relevant e-mail address of the Government of the Faroes is mfa@mfa.fo
Sea Shepherd: Please send them a polite email to let them know how you feel about the slaughter.
Sincerely,
Maria Arndt
MARIA PADILLA ARNDT / MARARN@UM.DK
ASSISTANT CULTURAL AND PRESS OFFICER / CULTURE, PRESS AND PUBLIC DIPLOMACY
DIRECT +1 (212) 705-4942 / MOBILE +1 (917) 362-8661
DANISH CONSULATE GENERAL, NEW YORK
ROYAL DANISH CONSULATE GENERAL / N.Y. 10017-2201 NEW YORK
PHONE +1 (212) 223 4545 / USA.UM.DK
i guess i can't use my original words. unbelievable in this time and age, especially if it is not for food
Scumbags!
Shocking! Shame on those who commit these atrocities
Couldn't care less, won't lose any sleep over a few dead dolphins.
You should get that hook
Wow that's really sad. They are innocent animals, it would be like hurting innocent kids. But that's right it doesn't affect you so you probably dont care. Grow a heart.
Why bother commenting then?
So I guess you don't have any pets? If you do then I guess you don't care if they are brutally murderd? Since they're only animals right? You are a scumbag!!
Hey, what you've said will be most appropriate for your epitaph! That's if you ever get a personal grave, not a mass burial, or your dismembered body parts rotting in sewage and landfills yet nobody gives a rat shit about.
Try this again with a little less of my feelings… Are we as humans really this stupid? We deserve to be wiped off the mother earth. She has no chance with us on it. Makes my blood boil….
Arseholes……what a joke,, defiantly crossing Denmark off my "must see cities of the world". DISGRACEFUL 😢
Denmark is a country
Its a good thing denmark is a country, not a city.
Denmark = country
Shocking & shameful!
If you people had done your homework, you would know that the Faroe Islands are, as you say, part of the Kingdom of Denmark, but they are self-govering. They are basically independent, and so, Denmark is not to blame for the whales being killed. Look the Faroe Islands up on Wikipedia, and you will find this info confirmed. If you feel like protesting against the whaling, contact the Faroe Islands, not Denmark!
this is absolutley disgusting. denmark should be ashamed. I will never visit this country and hope karma gives them a swift kick! this is ip there with rapist and pedophiles in my opinion. just soo wrong on all levels. these people r absolutley disgusting blood thirsty savages! have I mentioned yet that this is absolutley so disgusting!!!
As already stated: Denmark has got nothing to do with this. The Faroe Islands are self-governing. If you bark, then make sure to bark at the right tree.
Disgrace to the human race!
These people are an absolute disgrace to humanity. They are a stain on the very essence of what it is to be human, to be capable of compassion and to have respect for the beauty of our natural surroundings and the sentient beings that share our world.
These scumbags are on a level with the worst of religious extremists, who wallow in the barbarity of their blood lust.
Karma is a bitch, and will bite every fucking last one of you, in this world or the next, and when it does, I hope it hurts like hell you backward shit stabbers!!
How is that fun!?? Did you know it takes dolphins 20 minutes to die???!! Horrific.
absolutely disgusting. you should all be ashamed of your selves!!!
Why? Why do this? I am devestated at the levels the human race sink to, I am ashamed to be human. There is no way to justify this cruelty those that try are as guilty as those who take part. If only the ones in power who could change this would , if only there werent such cowards.
Many people on facebook are very angry and upset at this….It has to stop…very cruel..inhumane and unnecessary in the 21st century.
WOW I'm totally shocked. The way they desensitise the kids at such a young age into thinking it is NORMAL to make another creature suffer so, it's just barbaric.
ALSO for a island with a 'fishing' industry they are going the right way about ending it…totally unsustainable these mass slaughters these people are just plain NUTS!
This slaughter is NOTHING BUT A MURDEROUS SPORT and nothing more! The people of Denmark who not only participate in the murder/cruelty of these precious mammals but also exploit it should be considered monsters and treated as such!!! Disgusted and Saddened…
This makes me feel ill that people are capable of doing this. What can I do to make a difference? Does the Kingdom of Denmark even know how disgusting this is? Where would I start… 🙁
BUT WE STILL BUY CARLSBERG AND DANISH SALTY BACON.
Humanity is Insane
Absolutely disgraceful horrible bastards
Can't believe this can happen in Europe of all places. Makes me ashamed to be human….
Ashamed of being human. This is a crime that must send chills down your spine because it did for me, kids growing up watching and enjoying this butchery is a tragic visual. I hate where we humans are steering this world to. Shame on me for not being able to do anything, shame on the parents for allowing their kids to do and watch this. we are all going to hell.
This makes me sick to my stomach, it is deplorable that this could occur, let alone be condoned by the so called authorities. I will never visit Denmark
I will laugh when YOU cowards who commit this are killed in the same way in this life or afterlife for doing this to defenseless peaceful creatures…Karma will catch up!!WATCH
Most abhorrent act, how can this still go on ?
Disgusting
This makes me sick and sad for the human race! May the Lord have no mercy on the souls of the people of the Faroe Islands!!! They should be made to feel the pain they are causing these innocent, defenseless whales! I pray that some form of justice system is implemented into their corrupt so called "government" and that they all pay dearly for their barbaric, senseless act of cruelty!!
Barbaric, we should be saving our few natural resources, before humans have raped and plundered everything, you are slaughtering them. Shame on you disgusting and disgraceful. Hope the people who do this rot in hell
Im shocked and disgusted with our race.. thes people should be slaughtered themselves for what they are doing, it angers me, what can be done to stop these killings…?
My first reaction is to berate these people and shame them into reconsidering what they are doing but this does not work and has never worked… I wonder if anyone has ever tried to go to the island to help them understand the emotional lives of animals such as these. How they feel emotions and connection and their family structures? Does anyone know? Shaking my fist at them and telling them they a are wrong feels right to do but only continues violence. There has to be another way, another perspective…. This can be stopped it just has to come from a place of understanding their culture and then helping them understand the suffering they are bringing to such gentle creatures…
I, for one, enjoy blubber in my soup. The right to hunt and kill animals is as much as a right as the right for freedom of speech. The freedom to express. The freedom to follow tradition. Us Danes have a tradition here in the Islands that dates back hundreds of years and, as unfortunate and disgraceful as you all may make it out to be, we see it as a festivius family occasion that we, and many generations before us, enjoy.
I suggest you use all of your energy to save our own kind rather than fish. There are many more humans in our our world that require your attention.
Fact check! They are mammals, not fish. Secondly, if tradition is what we base our lives on then slavery shouldn't be outlawed and the Chinese should allow for the killing of tigers, sharks and bears for their 'magic' properties. Your argument of tradition is a joke and frankly you are too. These creatures are beautiful and intelligent and don't deserve to die like this. I don't wish harm on many but karma has a way of coming around. So fuck you and you 'tradition'
You enjoy blubber in your soup? You're disgusting!!!!!!!! It is inhumane and wrong in so many ways! There were a lot of things us americans did way back when, like slavery for one…. and people began to see how wrong slavery was!!!! So a law was put into force! The dolphins are a creature of god! You're teaching your children that it is okay to grow up and slaughter whatever damm well they please! And no not in America is it okay to freely hunt whichever animals you want! That is a crime here if us Americans did what you did on U.S soil…. you're island is seriously sick and demented in so many ways! Shame on you!
They are not fish, u idiot! They are warm blooded intelligent mammals like us and don't deserve to be slaughtered like cows! This is cruel as there is no quick way to kill them, it needs to stop, your cruel tradition needs to stop and find another hobby that doesn't involve hurting other living creatures!
these people should drown themselves.
Such an outrage. This people should be ashamed of themselves. How dare they! They are barbaric, heartless and I'm ashamed to call them human.
so sad.. they have been slaughtering these beautiful dolphins and whales for so long that all the generations think it is normal and ok to do so. feeling helpless so stop the slaughter makes me sick to the stomach :-((((
shocked and sad and angry and lost for words..What is the human race becomeing???..Please write to these goverments,(denmark and faroe islands)= (they dont deserve capitol letters to their names)Boycot their exports… D
ont do nothing.
I thought DENMARK is a wonderful place to be in. Such a stupidest and insane , inhumane work had been going there? The worst that could ever happen to an aqua-bird.
Those Humans sick.
Is such a killing for food ?
Dolphins are human-friendly and they are slaughtered in a cruel manner and the city is defending this act, thats a shock!! Please humans, wake up. Stop this!!
from Denmark : yes, I agree, it`s terrible. And you can`t even eat them, they are full of mercury (does that concern you? pollution ?)
I hope you all react the same at the killings of thousands of people in Syria (and hunger in Africa, and….)
(..let´s not discuss the school-shootings and the lack of a health care system in the US)
School shootings? How can you compare the two. Indeed, the school shootings that have happened are terrible! At least the shooter takes its own life after, so how about you all do the same after killing off hundreds of dolphins! You're a moron! An ignoramus person who needs serious help!
All of you idiots make me laugh. Refusing to visit Denmark because of the culturally significant practice of dolphin hunting, whereas your precious America, Canada, England and other Western nations brutally torture and kill millions of intelligent mammals per day, not for fun, cultural tradition or even necessity, but for profit and greed. Unless you are a vegan, you have no right to complain about this practice, and even still, you should learn to respect other cultures and not immediately jump to conclusions such as barbaric, etc. We all come from the same brutes in the end and our goal is to advance society, not further hinder it with senseless divisions.
Exactly!
You're the idiot! At least our hunting activities don't butcher an animal ALIVE while they continue to die slowly for the next 20 min or so. There is a total difference! Dolphins shouldn't be made food its disgusting! You make me sick!
Agreed, tradition is tradition, myob.
Is there nothing we can do to stop this ?
the question is how do we stop them??? 🙁
So upset here at home but not sure what to do to help them STOP!
I will never buy another Danish product nor visit this country again!!
These people should be ashamed of themselves! Its 2014 they can find food in many other ways. This is so disgusting.
BAD Islands! you are an example to show to the kids of how not to mistreat animals. I hope Karma will get you … 3fold !
We need someone who has access to a lot of sharks to announce that they are releasing them into that bay during this event next year. Even the threat of it should be enough to knock some sense into these people.
If we go and slaughter these people that are doing this and eat them….should we get away with it as well?
I agree….. its ok to hunt innocent creatures so can they be hunted just the same? Hooked and left feel excruciating pain that not even morphine could touch, until they slowly died. They are the animals! What are they teaching their children? That it's ok to kill innocent creatures? This is absurd!
It's okay to hunt innocent creatures so can they be hunted just the same? By they I suppose you refer to yourself and every other human on this planet. Ever killed a mosquito, fly, ate any non vegtables, ate any vegatables? Because even the practices of growing and cultivating crops most of the time kill animals. Pesticides the logging and deforistation to make space for farms. So how should we hunt you and I? Maybe poisen like pesticides? How about keeping you in a tiny enclosure for many years and then slaughtering you? Chop down your home and get rid of your food source till you starve and see your kids die before you? The cruelty of this is not the killing of these whales (who by the way aren't endangered) but it is the idiots who have latched on and sensstionalised it. I have read the comments section and find most people lack any sort of functional intelligence when faced with emotional stimulus such as this.
" defiantly crossing Denmark off my "must see cities of the world"
1: Denmark is not a city
2:The Faroes are not in Denmark
This is disgusting but please direct your anger in the right place.
This is so difficult to see…
Those who carry out this mindless slaughter cannot possibly be considered civilised but they are also not even on the same level as animals because no animals slaughter for fun. And the Faroese authorities must be considered equally uncivilised for not merely failing to stop the slaughter but for defending and, probably, encouraging it. The same goes for the Danish Government because it's influence in the Faroes is sovereign and it could stop the slaughter. I don't wish for karma or any kind of bad luck for Danish people because I am sure that most of them are just as reviled by such behaviour. But I do wish the worst possible circumstances on the cowardly individuals who carry out the heinous act and would suggest that a suitable remedy would be to put them in a seawater tank without any form of weaponry with a bunch of aggresive sharks. The suffering they might endure would be deserved and, in the process, their manhood would really be tested.
Yes, improving methods of killing should not justify such slaughter, particularly when pilot whales are ruled unsafe for consumption. Still, to look down our nose on the Feroes implies inhumane slaughtering of animals is specific to this region, rather than a global issue. As an America, I am just as concerned about the unsustainable and poorly regulated farming practices in our own backyard, that there is equally disturbing footage of. Rather than pointing our fingers at others, we must hold ourselves accountable and responsible for pursing knowledge and taking a stance on both international issues such as these, without turning a blind eye and remaining ignorant to our own participation in matters of animal cruelty.
This makes me sick! The cruelty of human beings has no borders!
I will never understand how humans can torture and kill creatures who can't protect themselves!
And the first picture with children sitting on the dead creatures shocked me a lot! It is terrible that parents or whosoever took them there think that it is completely normal to involve them into this terrific action! Disgusting!
You should be ashamed!
disgusting! all I can say is Karma! energetically what goes around comes around. Denmark will be faced with devastation of its own, mother nature will see to it. To take living things that are so beautiful and slaughter it, Shame, Shame, on you Denmark! No one should travel to your country again!
I hate those people in Denmark who have done this, I will never look at this country in the same way, how could the government let this happen?! This is soooo wrong in so many levels…THEY NEED TO BE STOPPED!
Absolutely awful how can we as euro city sons alow this to continue the faro islands should have strong sanctions against them until they stop this teribull slaughtery
From this moment forward myself and my family will having nothing to do with anything that Denmark is associated with other than make people aware of what is going on. The Kingdom of Denmark should be ashamed of what is transpiring in its realm and grow some balls and tell them to stop. Where is the King? And from his lack of movement to stop this is he a powerless King?
You most be joking mate.
Before blaming anyone, maybe you should do your researce
1. Denmark does not have a king but a queen.
2. The queen is totally powerless since Denmark is a democratic country.
3. The Feroe islands is self ruling. So this is NOT denmark more than australia is UK.
I am from Denmark, and feel terrible about this. And feel even more sorry that we are being blamed. But I dont see why its a bigger problem than all the hallal meat being made around the world. And that the whale meat is bad for you does not mean that they dont eat it. Smoking is also bad, though people still smoke. But this is wrong to do.
Brutal…but how do you think the pork, chicken, and beef are killed that you buy from your local supermarket?????
if you are ashamed to be human kill yourself, or hop in the water with them.. these people have been doing this for who knows exactly how long and it is obviously part of their culture… AMERICANS are by far more cruel to the billions of animals CURELY SLAUGHTERED after being pumped up with steroids and hormones… did you know they feed bulls female hormones so they can produce milk???? by the way I am an American. Feeding tortured meat the public. before you bash someone else look at what you country is doing. change your environment before you try to "save the world" there is no humane way to slaughter something. also you say " o these creatures are intelligent" but it would be wrong to start killing all the retards in the world.
Oh shut up! People like you annoy me!!!!! Of course what is down in our slaughter houses are wrong! But were not getting together like its a family tradition and butchering and inflicting excruciating pain to celebrate! Do you see our children at the slaughter houses sitting on the dead animals, smiling? NO! THERE IS A HUGE DIFFERENCE SO SHUT YOUR IGGNORANT MOUTH!
What can we do to help stop this?
If you will do a thorough research you will find conflicting information. However, the local governing body has stated that this is a subsistent kill for food. Every piece of meat that you get at the grocery store or in a restaurant was killed in a similar manner. They have veterinarians who have researched the quickest and least painful method of killing. Get over it.
I am absolutely disgusted and shocked at such horrific behavior by fellow human beings. Where is the humanity. To see God's creatures brutally slaughtered in this manner is absolutely unimaginable. I will never set foot in Denmark, nor ever purchase a Danish product. I will sign every petition to stop this massacre.
Start a petition on change.org
Start a petition on avaaz.org
– one has already been started for the hunts in Peru, takes only seconds to sign.
ITs not DENMARK.. its the island people, self governed, different culture, different country… just part of the kingdom, no different than if the Scottish did something you couldn't blame England, a despicable act… but lay the blame in the right place. The Faroe Islands.
I'm so sickened and upset at our inhumanity and bloodlust. Our race is becoming more barbaric and animal cruelty is on the rise. It's terrifying. Shame on you Danes. Shame on you….
http://meganastamper.tumblr.com/post/74306785476/the-denmark-dolphin-slaughter Try to read this and see your ignorance, you stupid haters. Btw. the Faroe Islands is not really a part of Deanmark, we don't share most of our culture, we certainly don't sahre food habbits and the same laws doesn't exist. I only takes 30 seconds for them to die anyways so…
LOL Faroe Islands isn't a danish group of islands. Stop being so ignorant and face the facts…
As someone said before; If you people had done your homework, you would know that the Faroe Islands are, as you say, part of the Kingdom of Denmark, but they are self-govering. They are basically independent, and so, Denmark is not to blame for the whales being killed. Look the Faroe Islands up on Wikipedia, and you will find this info confirmed. If you feel like protesting against the whaling, contact the Faroe Islands, not Denmark!
And perhaps think about this….Do you eat meat yourself? This is whats happening to cows, pigs, chickens, turkeys….All over the world! I don't think it is right either, but if you lived on those islands and your family had been doing this for thousands of years…You may very well do the same…. I do agree, that a change must happen, but Faeroe islands are very independant as a Island and that place is the place that you should turn your hatred towards if have any and that island are VERY differnet from Denmark itself, where you would NEVER find anything like this happening! I know that for a fact… Perhaps Denmark should stop supporting the isle financially?
Are cows, pigs and chickens super intelligent creatures? Do we gather together in unison, with our offspring, and teach them its ok to hook and rip apart our animals? No!!!! We don't! Yes we get it, the feroe islands are NOT DENMARK! You are only the 100th person to repeat the same information! Moron….
How can they say it is ok to kill these animals ? Will they think it is acceptable to slaughter their household pets like this as well ? This is a next level of insane..
we should change our old traditions!
festivities and rites should be humane, that is why we people have brains and heart.
we eat chicken, meat etc… but we do give them proper practice to kill humanely not barbaric or sadistic manner.
Here is a Petition for ALL to Read and Sign… If we are to begin to put an end to this Horrifying ACT of CRIME and see that these innocent, beautiful and intelligent mammals are to get protected, this petition is a great way to start…I am in this for the LONG RUN to see them protected and to out law this Carnival Act Of In-Justice!!
Who is with me? Please.. Please Sign ……
https://www.change.org/petitions/danish-ministry-of-foreign-affairs-stop-the-killing-of-dolphins-whales-in-denmark-because-young-men-want-a-right-of-passage-to-be-called-men
This is the true side of the human race. They all look satisfied and happy for killing those poor animals, they think they have the power and right to do that just because they can walk and speak. Maybe the day will come when the animals will rule this world and we, the humans, will be their slaves as they are now to us.
I've always admired the country of Denmark, but now each time I hear the name mentioned this senseless slaughter will be the first that comes to mind- what a shame… and I feel so helpless to do anything to stop it.
Foolishness!! Plain stupid
THIS IS NOT HAPPENING IN DENMARK!! THE FAROE ISLANDS ARE SELF-GOVERNING, WHICH MEANS DENMARK CAN'T TELL THEM WHAT TO DO. IT'S OUT OF OUR HANDS. YES, WE'RE DISGUSTED BY IT TOO AND YOU'RE DIRECTING YOUR ANGER IN THE WRONG DIRECTION.
If you eat meat, shut up and move on people. It's what they do, myob and get a life.
I have a question for the people who are outraged by this because of its so called cruelty. Do you feel the same way about pigs? They are also social, highly intelligent animals, but are subject to some horrific practices. For example, pregnant sows are often reared in what are called gestation crates, where they literally can't even turn around, and are kept there most of their adult lives, yet I don't see any Facebook groups popping up for them, or calling for people to boycott products from their country. Compare this to the pilot whales, who admittedly do meet a grisly end, but are free for their entire lives in the wild up until that very point. In addition, this event happens once a year, not all year round, like intensively farmed animals are.
My only concern with this practice is the sustainability of it. I've read conflicting reports about that, so I'll have a read at the links posted here, thanks for citing your sources whoever wrote it.
while I do not condone the act of killing animals for pleasure and sport, I think the majority of people that have read and commented on this article have got the wrong end of the stick. this article is conceited, one sided and essentially propaganda. why dont you all read this article and then get express your opinion after you actually know the facts
oh the hypocrisy on this thread is killing me. While I do not condone the horrific practices on animals, perhaps the people who are labelling denmark as barbarians, horrible people etc. should take a step back and remember that this happens globally, in every country, so they can make a bit of profit. Think about kfc and nandos. they kill billions of chickens and class it as "humane" but i dont see anything humane about caging them all into tiny pens.
This is disgusting! what a scummy mother fucking country! get a grip at leave your 1000year old traditions you Viking wannabes. I heard that this tradition was about proving you have become a man, how can killing a helpless dolphin make you a man? if your such a man why don't you go try something that can fight back..how about getting a boat to some killer whales, getting in the water and trying to butcher one of them?
also to all the danes popping up with your comments about you are not blame..maybe you are not blame on this article ..but you still hunt dolphin and whale for fun..and don't say you don't because I have seen it 1st hand
This article is like a Michael Moore documentary, extremely biased and inaccurate. It always amazes me how quickly people get all riled up without taking a moment to think through the issues and read both sides of the debate.
The only people on here that have a leg to stand on are vegans who won't harm any animal. The rest of you are all hypocrites. How can you get mad at this country for harvesting food then turn around and eat a chicken breast, fish filet, or steak that likely had a much worse life by being trapped in a small cage all day then these free roaming whales (I know, technically they're a type of dolphin) .
I for one am not ready to give up my meat and don't expect the people of this island to do the same just because it's different than mine.
i will forever be wary of danish people.two wrongs do not make a right. if pigs & other animals are being slaughtered, i condemn that too.
but, i expected more out of danish people.
i guess that was my folly.
shame on you danes !
Hey poster #98 – If YOU'D have done any reading prior to YOUR rant, you'd have realised that the Faroese do not commit this slaughter for food, but for rite-of-passage for their adolescent males. Yep, that's right, it's for nothing more than macho bragging rights.
You were saying?
You make me sad for the world. You've clearly not done your research. It is clearly documented that the whales are for food. Even the specific descriptions on how they are killed carved mentions how they are carved in specific ways. And no it is not a one time thing like some sort of estranged barmitzvah. That doesn't even make logistical sense. How many boys are becoming a man at the correct time on one of this archipelago of small islands. I have mot researched thoroughly enough to say that there is not an eliment of coming of age in it but most traditional hunts for food have that as it's a way of incentavising the hunt to produce more food. So poster 98 is correct so please allow him or her to continue his or her rant without having a hypocrit jump in.
Hint for next time actually research before you bash someone elses research.
i would never imagine that this is happening today. and it must stop. i beleive that if the faroe ispands government does not want tostop this, they deserve total econy isolation from the rest of the world. they should pay for what they are doing. the question is whether other governments would do something to force them to stop that, or whether some organisations for protecting animals can do something to make other governments to force faroe islands authorities to act upon this.
SAVE THE WHALES! SLAUGHTER THE HUMANS! Seriously…they won't be missed, like the putz who "isnt losing any sleep"…Of course, sodomite, you're ALWAYS unconscious, aren't you?
What is really sad is that in America thousands of idiots get a dog or cat, do not spay or neuter, and the offspring (or the parents) end up in the shelters (where I volunteer to try and help the animals). Guess what? Hundreds of thousands of intelligent dogs and cats die every year…and while many people on these posts blather on about the cruelty of animals dying eleswhere they do little or nothing to make a difference on their own street. People in general suck. The only people who have anything to gloat about when it comes to animals are those who do not eat them, wear them, use any products from them or tested on them, and people who are responsible enough to spay, neuter, or adopt rather than buy from breeders. Sorry folks…but that leaves about 5% of the population.
This is sad, I have read what ppl say bout animals in other countries being slaughtered for meat, but as has already been stated kids aren't involved in that nor is it done for fun! The mercury pollution aspect is also a topic I would like to see looked into over and above the barbaric slaughter of these dolphins. Yes these islands are indipendent from the kindom of Denmark…BUT Denmark still supports the islands financially! I am from South Africa and when we had appartheid the world was quick to condemn us and impose sanctions! Why is the world and particularly Denmark slow to impose economic sanctions? This is barbaric and sad to know this kind of slaughter still exists in the 21st centuary.
CHECK YOUR SOURCES BEFORE JUDGING.
Demonizing a country and it's people without actually knowing what happens is a very dangerous practice. And it happens so very often on the internet nowadays.
Check on the bio-industry in most of the developed world first before pointing blaming fingers.
http://meganastamper.tumblr.com/post/74306785476/the-denmark-dolphin-slaughter
Miserable …where is EU now?? What happened with the culture of the Old Lady (Europe) who are you to talk about others when you are BARBARIAN…It is 2014 year and you are still killing dolphins just to prove that YOU DICK IS BIG ?? Look at those children , and their faces..they are Happy…SERIOUSLY ??? They are happy for seeing dead dolphins?? HEARTLESS
This is so disgusting and makes me so angry! !! How can someone slaughter an animal like that and feel nothing when it cries out in pain!! They say its for food but it obviously isn't. If this place is a fishing village then I think they kill these dolphins/whales because they also eat the fish, so they are culling them basically! Disgusting and this has got to be stopped! !!!!!!!!!
OH MY GOD!!!!!! AND THEIR CHILDREN ARE BROUGHT UP THINKING THIS IS OK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
OH INDEED SOMEONE TELL ME WHER THE EU STANDS ON THIS????? I AM NOT LETTING THIS PASS!!!!!!!!!!!! I WILL BOICOT AND BADMOUTH WITH ALL MY POWERS FROM TODAY UNTIL THE DAY IT STOPS!!!
I will not be visiting Denmark because of this. I will buy nothing known to be made in Denmark.
Horrified and disgusted by these bloody pictures. Traditions or not, good ones should stay; and bad ones should stop. A celebration of killing whales and dolphins are just insanely disturbing to me!
I am going to hive…….
Ok so the Faroe Island is separate to Denmark, we hear you BUT Denmark Zoo KILLED A GIRAFFE today because there was no room for it and dissected it's body in front of adults and children then fed the GIRAFFE meat to the lions, surely they could've rehomed it with another zoo?! #sadtimes
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-26098935
Utterly barbaric wherever it takes place. Were you inspired by the Japanese and their gruesome friends, or is it you inspiring them?…
Speechless and discussed by a culture that should be on board in defending those who cannot defend themselves. Be it children (read the Rights of a Child) to dolphins both are in need of protection, is this concept that difficult to comprehend? These people are truly barbaric and shameful.
Disgusting and these are NOT civilised humans!!! Its one thing to have and keep some traditions, but when it comes to pure slaughter and morbid murder and the murders enjoy inflicting unbelievable pain and confusion on harmless creatures, is NOT a TRADITION. MURDER as a right of passage to manhood is a barbaric act, that should have died with the past.
Oh, its a tradition for their culture… why didn't you say so in the first place… come on kids… hop on the dead suffering whale and take a picture while your big brother slaughters his first mammal. I'm so proud of Peter… he's growing up so fast… my how the years have gone by. I remember killing my first mammal when I was his age…… Tradition. ….
"What a lame ass excuse." Fucking brutal senseless murder is more like it. Find another tradition. .. like taking your kids to Sea world and admiring life.
no animal should be treated like this i am an animal lover i take care of them try to save their lifes because pet storse lack that responcability and im a vegatarion so i dont eat meat like others do and i have done my research by the way and this is one of the most rediculase things man kind has ever done this cruealty must stop and i will do every thing in my power to stop this. P.S give my a brake im only 12 so i dont have the best spelling
but i bet that i have taken and helped more animals survive that the averige person
I`m a sick sick girl in a sick sick world…
http://live-counter.com/animals-killed-worldwide/