Public outcry over ‘Honey’ the dolphin abandoned in Japanese aquarium

11
88
Spread the love

In an abandoned aquarium at a marine park in Japan, Honey the dolphin, along with 46 penguins and hundreds of fish and reptiles remain, as a public outcry to save the lonely dolphin has sparked public outcry and protests this week.

According to Japan Today, the Inubosaki Marine Park Aquarium closed at the beginning of the year after a steep decline in visitors following the 2011 earthquake and the Fukushima nuclear accident. Honey, the penguins and the other denizens of the aquarium remain there with reports that employees have been regularly feeding the animals. Sadly, Honey has been seen floating in one of the tiny pools and her physical condition may be deteriorating.

Honey, a bottlenose dolphin, captured in 2005 near Taiji, where the annual dolphin hunt has been televised in the documentary The Cove, was one of the lucky ones – at least as far as her life having been spared. Dolphins not used in marine parks are killed for their meat. The Japanese Association of Zoos and Aquariums no longer purchases dolphins from Taiji.

At the last visit to the park, Honey showed signs of stress and weakness.

Nearby a resort hotel has offered to give Honey, the penguins and the other fish and reptiles a new home. Repeated calls to the park have gone unanswered.

“I get emotions of hazard and doubt from t he truth that they’re so silent about this. As a bunch that handles animals, they’re accountability to elucidate what they intend to do with Honey and the opposite animals,” stated Sachiko Azuma, a consultant of the group PEACE. (Put a Finish to Animal Cruelty and Exploitation)

(Photos screenshots via Reuters)

More news and updates on National Pet Rescue here.

In the news yesterday: Man accused of slitting throat of his mom’s dog – read more here.

More news: Bears held captive for decades moving to sanctuary – read more here.


Border collie gets so excited watching herself on TV – watch the adorable video here.


Puppy reunited with mom – watch the heartwarming video here.


Spread the love

11 COMMENTS

  1. Hope the group PEACE can transfer all these animals to safer facilities where they will flourish, especially Honey who probably is the most urgent. Japan needs to step up and take care of these animals who made money for the park that exhibited them. Please keep us informed on the plight of Honey and the others from this facility.

  2. Please save these animals ASAP! There must be some way to legally bypass park officials since they are not cooperating. Get those animals out BEFORE it is to late!

  3. Latest update from friends at Dolphin Project. Here is what they’ve advised me:

    We did hear from our colleagues, who told us that the owners won’t even speak with them. We’ve been told they are unwilling to allow for intervention, as they are trying to sell the facility and the animals. The government has also stated that they will not intervene despite many requests. We are still trying to work with local activists for a solution, but it has not been promising. We are sorry not to have better news. If we receive more updates we will update our social media and website with the news.

  4. UPDATE:
    After contacting one of the rescue organizations I heard back from them. This is what they had to say about the rescue of Honey the Dolphin (and penguins too):

    We did hear from our colleagues, who told us that the owners won’t even speak with them. We’ve been told they are unwilling to allow for intervention, as they are trying to sell the facility and the animals. The government has also stated that they will not intervene despite many requests. We are still trying to work with local activists for a solution, but it has not been promising. We are sorry not to have better news. If we receive more updates we will update our social media and website with the news.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here