Dolphin slaughter in Faroe Islands sparks fury after record numbers killed
The tradition is called Grindadrap and involves the animals having their necks cut with knives or being killed with harpoons.
Wednesday 15 September 2021 08:23, UK
There has been an angry response from animal rights groups after almost 1,500 dolphins from a 'super pod' were killed in the Faroe Islands.
Video uploaded to social media by the activists Sea Shepherd showed hundreds of slaughtered animals lying on the shoreline while others thrashed about in the shallows as men grappled to hold on to them.
Boats could be seen further out to sea in the fjord forming a barrier to stop the live animals, Atlantic white-sided dolphins, from swimming away.
The hunt is called Grindadrap and involves the animals having their necks cut with knives or being killed with harpoons.
The video will shock many viewers.
Sea Shepherd Faroe Islands Campaign wrote on their Facebook page: "We are sharing with you 10 minutes of unedited footage.
"We are doing this so you can grasp the reality of what happened yesterday.
"Because while the Faroese newspapers have been busy reporting on the reactions to the hunt all through the day, there has been no proper covering of the actual illegalities and brutality of the hunt.
"What will it take for the locals to demand a shut down of all hunts of this sort?
"We believe it takes a good honest look at the truth."
The slaughter has been a tradition in the archipelago since the 9th century and the Faroese consider whale and dolphin meat an important part of their diet and culture.
It is considered an example of aboriginal whaling and is the only example of it still carried out in Western Europe.
But the annual practice is heavily criticised for being barbaric.
Conservationist and TV presenter Chris Packham tweeted many UK news outlets on Monday night to highlight the hunt.
He wrote: "Hello @skynews have you noticed that the Faroese killed an entire pod of 1428 dolphins yesterday . That's news . Report it . Please RT."