A new report has called for urgent policy action after exposing the tourism industry's involvement in the Taiji dolphin hunts, notorious for the slaughter of hundreds of dolphins each year and the brutal capture of wild dolphin pods.
Shockingly, six major travel companies including top offenders Trip.com, Klook, Traveloka, GetYourGuide, and Groupon are linked to the Taiji hunts by selling tickets to venues that have sourced dolphins from Taiji. While no Australian or New Zealand travel companies were implicated, countries frequented by Aussie and Kiwi travellers including Thailand, Vietnam, Mexico and the Philippines were found to have Taiji dolphins held across their dolphin venues.
The report has identified 107 dolphin entertainment venues across 17 countries with links to Taiji, highlighting the global reach of this issue.
The report also found that the global captive dolphin entertainment industry was a key economic driver of the Taiji hunts, indirectly fuelling demand for the wild capture of live dolphins. Trained dolphins can sell for up to US$150,000 to overseas dolphin entertainment venues.
Suzanne Milthorpe, Head of Campaigns, World Animal Protection Australia and New Zealand said:
"Based on the disastrous animal welfare impacts, and absolute brutality involved in these hunts, it is completely indefensible for global travel companies to continue sending unsuspecting travellers to venues who have sourced dolphins from Taiji. This is corporate irresponsibility at its finest.
"As long as travel companies continue to sell tickets to dolphin entertainment venues, they are directly contributing to the suffering of these intelligent marine mammals."
Hannah Tait, CEO, Action for Dolphins said:
"The trade of wild dolphins from Taiji to venues across the world is a secretive business. This report exposes which travel companies are profiting from this outdated and brutal practice.
"With this report, these travel companies are on notice to implement animal welfare policies and stop contributing to animal cruelty."
Companies including Airbnb, Boooking.com, Tripadvisor, and Virgin are industry leading for their progressive animal welfare policies.
World Animal Protection's polling reveals that 79% of travellers would prefer to see dolphins in the wild rather than in captivity, with 82% saying companies should not be selling activities that cause suffering to wild animals.
The two organisations are calling on travel companies to take immediate action by implementing robust animal welfare policies and ceasing the promotion of all dolphin entertainment venues. By not purchasing tickets to dolphin entertainment venues, travellers can also play an important role in keeping dolphins in the wild, where they belong.
