At least 800 whales and dolphins were killed in the Faroe Islands in Denmark as a part of an annual traditional event. The blue sea turns into a horrifying red color as hundreds of dead bodies of the sea animals pile up in the water.
Whaling is an annual tradition that dates back to 1584. The people of Faroe Islands have been consuming whale meat since the time of Vikings. “Whaling is a natural part of Faroese life. It has long since been internationally recognised that pilot whale catches in the Faroe Islands are fully sustainable”, said Páll Nolsøe, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
It is a communal activity in which all locals including children get together to ruthlessly slaughter whales and dolphins. First, the fishermen enter the water in their boats and as soon as pods of whales arrive close to the bay, they surround the whales and lead them towards land to be killed. When the whale is close enough, a hook is inserted into their blowhole to bring them further up the shore. It’s neck is then stabbed with a spinal lance and its spinal cord is severed, which further cuts the blood supply to its brain. The whale loses consciousness and dies within a few seconds.
Many petitions have been filed against this cruel practice especially by animal activists. It has also sparked international outrage in social media.
(Title Image Courtesy: ABC)
