11 Bottlenose Dolphins Stolen From The Wild On First Day Of Taiji’s Cruel Dolphin Drive Hunt Season
Screenshot from video by Rikako (@xx_rkf_xx)
A large pod of bottlenose dolphins was driven from the open ocean into the Cove on the very first day of the 2026 dolphin drive hunt in Taiji, Japan, marking a devastating start to another season in which wild dolphins face slaughter or captivity for entertainment.
According to Ric O’Barry’s Dolphin Project, nine species of dolphins are included on this season’s quota list, with up to 1,814 dolphins allowed to be taken for slaughter or captivity.
Dolphin Project reported: “11 dolphins had their freedom stolen while the remaining pod members were held overnight.”
The organization also highlighted the disturbing connection between the Taiji hunts and the global captive dolphin industry, stating: “Due to their popularity at marine parks and the global demand for captive dolphins, these dolphins are extremely valuable.”
During Taiji’s drive hunts, wild dolphins are pursued by boats and driven toward the coastline, where they are confined inside the infamous Cove. Some dolphins are selected and taken alive for captivity, separating them from their pods and taking away their freedom, while others are slaughtered for their meat.
The capture of bottlenose dolphins at the start of another hunting season is a devastating reminder of how the captive dolphin industry continues to tear these highly intelligent and social animals away from their ocean homes.
Dolphin Project is urging the public not to support facilities that keep dolphins in captivity, stating: “End the demand, end the supply. Don’t buy a ticket to any facility with captive dolphins.”
Animal advocates in Japan and around the world continue to call for an end to the Taiji dolphin drive hunts and the capture of wild dolphins for the captive entertainment industry.
World Animal News and Peace 4 Animals are calling for continued international pressure on the Japanese government to end these cruel hunts once and for all and protect dolphins from being killed or stolen from the wild.
These highly intelligent and social animals belong wild and free in the ocean with their families — not torn from their pods, killed, or confined for human entertainment.
