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Dear Colleagues,

We are pleased to announce a recent publication of our paper regarding the killing methods used in the dolphin drive hunts in Taiji, Japan.

Andrew Butterworth , Philippa Brakes , Courtney S. Vail & Diana Reiss (2013): A Veterinary and Behavioral Analysis of Dolphin Killing Methods Currently Used in the “Drive Hunt” in Taiji, Japan, Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science, 16:2, 184-204

A PDF version of the paper is available online at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10888705.2013.768925 or via email request to dlr28@columbia.edu

A link to the video footage is available at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dzOw5IBmqWk&feature=youtu.be

ABSTRACT Annually in Japanese waters, small cetaceans are killed in “drive hunts” with quotas set by the government of Japan. The Taiji Fishing Cooperative in Japan has published the details of a new killing method that involves cutting (transecting) the spinal cord and purports to reduce time to death. The method involves the repeated insertion of a metal rod followed by the plugging of the wound to prevent blood loss into the water. To date, a paucity of data exists regarding these methods utilized in the drive hunts. Our veterinary and behavioral analysis of video documentation of this method indicates that it does not immediately lead to death and that the time to death data provided in the description of the method, based on termination of breathing and movement, is not supported by the available video data. The method employed causes damage to the vertebral blood vessels and the vascular rete from insertion of the rod that will lead to significant hemorrhage, but this alone would not produce a rapid death in a large mammal of this type. The method induces paraplegia (paralysis of the body) and death through trauma and gradual blood loss. This killing method does not conform to the recognized requirement for “immediate insensibility” and would not be tolerated or permitted in any regulated slaughterhouse process in the developed world.

My best,

Diana Reiss

Diana Reiss, PhD Professor Department of Psychology Hunter College, CUNY 695 Park Ave., New York, N.Y. 10065 Office: 212-650-3432 Lab: 212-772-4322