Dolphins, whales, and other marine mammals thrill us with their splendor, intrigue us with their highly developed intelligence and complex societies, and awe us with amazing displays of agility and grace. Across the world, dolphins and whales are revered as symbols of nature in all its strength and glory.
But dolphins, whales and other sea mammals are also under attack throughout the world's oceans. Countries like Japan and Norway are pressing hard to overturn the international ban on commercial whaling. The U.S. government has authorized whaling within its shores by the Makah tribe of Washington. The U.S. military is implementing a devastating new sonar system that will blast deafening and potentially fatal sound waves through the world's seas. The aquarium and public display industry is proliferating worldwide, supplied in part by the brutal drive fisheries in Japan that involve the slaughter of thousands of dolphins annually.
While our focus is on marine mammal freedom (captivity-related) issues, In Defense of Animals lends our voice and support to the efforts to save dolphins, whales, seas, sea lions, sea otters and other sea creatures whenever we can. Our efforts have been key to freeing 40 dolphins captured for aquariums in Japan, stopping a U.S. amusement park from importing pseudorcas (false killer whales) captured during a drive fishery, and gaining national media attention to the plight of Corky, the oldest living captive orca.
