“How sharper than a sermon’s truth it must have been for many human beings when they learned that bottle-nosed Dolphins may, in time, succeed battle-poised Man as the master species on earth. This prophecy is implicit in the findings of those scientists who have been studying, and interviewing, dolphins in laboratories. It neither alarms nor surprises me that Nature, whose patience with our self-destructive species is giving out, may have decided to make us, if not extinct, at least a secondary power among the mammals of this improbable planet.. As far back as 1933 I observed a school of dolphins (their schools increase as ours decline) romping, as we carelessly call it, alongside a cruise ship in the South Atlantic, and something told me that here was a creature, all gaiety, charm, and intelligence, that might one day come out of the boundless deep and show us how a world can be run by creatures dedicated not to the destruction of their species but to its preservation.” – James Thurber, 1961
I am so upset right now I don’t even know if I should be posting this. But I came across a video today that is extremely upsetting. It is footage of a dolphin slaughter in Japan. It is highly graphic, and saddening to no end. My only hope by sharing it with as many thousands of people that visit this blog is that it will enrage you as well and send a clear message.
Again, this is VERY upsetting footage, but please share it with as many people as you know.
And one of the organizations I have supported for years that actively fights this kind of madness..Sea Shepherd
p.s. (This has actually been going on for many, many years now – but I only recently came across this disturbing video)
As much as I think that videos like this should be shown so that people can see for themselves what actually goes on in this world of ours, … I could not watch it all!
Diane – I think your husband has a point in addressing this politically – because sadly when you tie something to $$$, people start to listen. But then our government has to care enough to put it on their agenda.
I truly believe that someday if we are smart enough – we will figure out that the difference between some species on this planet isn’t so great and look back in horror at our history.
I can’t really feel upset by images like this anymore. It’s just another testament to the state of human kind, which despite all scientific and philosophical knowledge avaiable in the year 2007, continue to exploit and destory all things living in a haze of religion, culture, politics and pure selfish greed.
I’m not ignorant though and strive to live my life as an example to others. I have studied enough psychology to understand that preaching is futile. Not until people take personal responsibility for their own life will there be a ground for dialogue and serious discussion on how to care for this planet. Too many people ignore (or lack knowledge of) science and obey political and religious authorities for the world to become a better place.
Absolutely horrifying! I should not have watched this before going to bed. Sad. Extremely sad. What’s even worse, in my mind, is that children can see this senseless violence and just walk on by as if nothing is happening. They are totally desensitized!
I’ve already signed the petition.
Totally disturbing, Mark. I had to make myself view this video as I knew that it would be horrific.
I often wonder how such atrocities happen. How do human beings allow themselves to do the unspeakable? I’ve come to the conclusion that it is the simple fact that they do not relate to what they are harming so they therefore have no compassion.
I think that we can ask others to help stop the atrocities until we’re blue in the face. What really is going to make a difference is assisting the people we ask to have a relationship with dolphins and nature in general. How is this done? Through blogs like yours. Images and stories that bring the animals to new levels of understanding; a level whereby one feels a kinship with animals and nature in general.
My husband disagrees with me. His thought is that you have to use pure political leverage. Whatever they (meaning the Japanese) need from us we say “NO” until they comply with our demands. I suppose in the real world, he is right. He feels that once you’ve made them comply, then you can teach compassion.
God knows. I suppose all efforts should be pursued. Mark, thanks for your efforts.
I’m with you on this Mark, all the way. There are times I’m ashamed to be part of the human race. Long ago, in the traditional teachings of my ancestors, men could talk to the animals. We’ve forgotten. We’ve forgotten SO much that I truly believe there is no easy solutions- but we must speak for those who can’t.. and those that don’t are every bit as guilty as the perps.
Excellent letter – good for you. I hope that you post their response, if any.
And, I don’t know about anybody else, but when I think of Japanese, I don’t think “zen” or “lovers of nature” at all. Quite the opposite, in fact. And that’s certainly not the image they’re projecting to those who really pay attention to nature and the environment which, fortunately, seems to be a pool growing by leaps and bounds.
Great work Mark. Let me know how else I might help.
Well, as a photographer, I thought my first step needs to be to my camera manufacturer, so here is the letter I wrote and cc’d a few Nikon USA folks;
Honorable Nikon Corporation, Kajiwara-San, Kimura-San, and Nikon employees;
I am writing to you at your webmaster address, for not being able to find a more appropriate address on your site – and since this goes directly to Japan, I am hoping it can be routed appropriately.
I am bringing up perhaps an old issue for you and your country, but I recently encountered this disturbing video about this particular Japanese fishing activity;
http://www.glumbert.com/media/dolphin
As a Nikon photographer for more than 15 years, and out of pure respect for sentient beings of our oceans – I cannot express enough outrage at such an activity. From this petition; http://www.petitiononline.com/golfinho/ ; you can see my voice is not alone or limited to my own country with more than 260,000 signatures to date.
I do not know if Nikon Corp. condones or protests such actions in your homeland – but would certainly like to know what a company I have supported for years is doing to curtail such horrifying acts. I know Nikon prides itself on the Nikon Basic Environmental Policy and your Nikon Charter of Corporate Behavior. It would appear from your Environmental Management policy that you promote your employees being involved in environmental activities and have strong positions on Corporate Social Responsibility. Certainly this particular activity deserves action in respect for your own policies.
I realize my own nation is not angelic in many of its unrelated global actions, and there this plenty of outrage here at home. I hope there is similar outrage at such activities at your home. I ask that you as a respected corporation with sound environmental policies respond in a manner both fitting of your culture, respect for the ocean, and respect for the cares of your photographers and customers worldwide.
I will look forward to your reply on this matter. Activities like this video has shown simply cannot be tolerated. It is disrespectful towards intelligent life of our oceans, and dishonorable to your country. Please help change the world view in that this isn’t condoned by all of Japan. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Mark Graf
Michigan, USA
grafphoto.com
But then again, I guess it shouldn’t be that surprising given some of the things that we have done / continue to do to our own species throughout history.
Think global, act local. Perhaps a very small way would be to not buy Japanese products, at all.
You have to remember their history. Samurai, fighting nation, insular. And, yet, you must admit the balance to all this aggression is one of creativity — beautiful design in everything they make — and of Zen. And also their love of Nature, the peace it brings.
How do you help a hungry nation of many millions, whose diet includes a very large component of ocean-living beings?
I know a lot of people believe in what goes around comes around eventually – but it isn’t soon enough for me. I don’t care what happens to them in the end – I want it happening now! When they are dead, it is too late for the thousands of souls from the sea they have taken.
But then I feel pretty helpless in this – other than getting on a boat with Sea Shepherd and patrolling that bay. I am going to start writing to every Japanese company I know of – but feel that will do little.
The only other way to send a clear message is with tariffs on Japanese goods. (I don’t think boycotts work very well – they need to be hit hard where it counts) Our government takes action in human rights violations this way, when will they start broadening their care circle?
I echo what Howard Grill said, many times over.
Don’t get me started. I swear it seems like some of these Asian countries have absolutely no respect for life whatsoever. The Japanese are whaling again, too.
I don’t mean to preach or anything, but in Genesis 9:4-6 it says that God demands an accounting for the life blood of every man. AND he demands an accounting *from* animals as well as from humans. And He says that we are not to eat animals which still have their lifeblood in them.
This tells me that animals are very important to God – that they are not merely objects. They are important enough to Him for Him to make a convenant with them (Noah), and for Him to demand an accounting from them if they should take a man’s life.
This mass slaughter of His creatures will not go unnoticed by Him. (And neither does some sicko abusing his puppy in the privacy of his own home. God sees and knows all.)
At the end of the road, we all must stand up individually and account for what we have to/for this world and each other.
I don’t feel angry toward the the folks who are doing this for I know they will have to answer for this in the end. Disgust is a more appropriate term, I think. Because they know exactly what they’re doing and the damage they’re doing, and they’re doing it anyway. I just wish they didn’t have to wait until they’re dead to feel God’s wrath. But take comfort, they will.
(Greenpeace has a lot of info on the current Japanese whaling efforts.)
Unbelievable. Makes you feel ashamed to be a part of the human race.