Taiji Cove dolphin slaughter is underway. The water is filled with the blood of these cetaceans. Photo courtesy of Save the Dolphins and thanks to Inhabitat

Japan’s annual dolphin slaughter in Tajii Cove is underway, despite bad weather that delayed the traditional September 1 start date. Some 2,000 dolphins will be taken — and all told, some 20,000 will be harvested in the next year by Japan — almost all killed for their meat. Who in heaven’s name eats dolphin ? This practice was exposed in the documentary film The Cove, which won an Academy Award. It was discovered that some of the meat went on to schools for consumption by kids who had no idea what they were eating. Cetaceans deserve to be in the wild. Stop this barbaric practice. Stand with the people — nearly 485,000 have already signed the letter –who want to Stop the Killing. Save the Dolphins.