The methods employed have not changed in over a century; whales are killed at sea by a lethal harpoon. Today's harpoons contain an explosive charge which, when fired from a cannon, is intended to penetrate the whale's body to a depth of 12 inches before detonation.
The harpoon rarely kills instantly, causing massive shock and injury. Recent data has shown that whales can take up to an hour to die at sea after the initial strike.
WSPA believes that there is no humane way to kill a whale at sea. This is due to the high number of uncontrollable factors (such as visibility, sea conditions, distance, speed and gunner accuracy) which make a guaranteed lethal shot almost impossible.
Whaling: Defying international commitments to animal welfare?
This booklet, produced in 2008, asks why humane slaughter guidelines set by international bodies for some animals are not extended to the whaling debate. Download PDF >>
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