Bottlenosed dolphins, with their smiling faces and playful habits, have always been a favourite of man, and a major attraction at zoos and marineparks.

Talk about dolphins in the USA and people think of  cute dolphins doing performances at Sea World. Talk about dolphins in Japan and the people think of food.

In  Japan, where dolphin meat is a delicacy, at least 14 500 dolphins are killed every year to supply meat to the local markets. People in Taiji, a rural town in Japan say it is their culture to eat dolphins. 

The dolphins near the Japanese coastline face a cruel fate. Dolphin drive hunting is a method of hunting the dolphins. Boats are used to drive the dolphins together. To prevent the dolphins from escaping, the route to the open sea is clossed off and the only way for the dolphins is to swim into a bay or onto a beach.

The slaughter is cruel and barbaric. Dolphins don't die immediately. They bleed to death. When the dolphin is injured it is dragged in the boats with hooks while it is still alive. Many of the dolphins are gutted while they are still alive.

Dophins are attention seakers. They are highly social and intelligent mammals and enjoy the company of humans. This make the dolphins a easy target for the fishermen.

The Cove, directed by Louie Psihoyos, is a documentary film about the annual killing of  dolphins in the National Park in Taiji. Everyone needs to see this movie, because it will inspire you to do something to help save the dolphins. The movie is a wakeup call to all people to make a difference.

Ways you can help save dolphins:

Sign a petition

Stay educated and up to date about what's going on with dolphin protection around the world. www.defenders.org

Take part in actions to save dolphins. www.takepart.com