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 Countries worldwide appear to have forgotten the fundamental reasons why they should oppose all whaling activities - the inherent cruelty involved.
Two million great whales killed In the last century two million Great whales were killed using methods that caused widespread and prolonged suffering. Some species were hunted to the brink of extinction. This led the International Whaling Commission (IWC) to impose a worldwide ban on commercial whaling in 1986. Despite this ban, loopholes allow Japan, Norway and Iceland to continue whaling and kill some 1,400 whales annually.
Cruel and painful deaths 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. Learn more: Find out more about whaling >>FAQs about whaling and welfare >> Support WSPA's campaigns to end animal cruelty >> |