As The Cove was screened in multiple locations throughout the country, Courtney and Simon worked to raise awareness about the drive hunts, captivity and mercury, all key issues highlighted in the movie. The duo also presented in Puerto Plata, just a short distance away from Ocean World, the marine park that attempted to import 12 dolphins from Taiji in 2007.
Unfortunately, and despite the films success, dozens of pilot whales, Risso’s dolphins and other species have been the target of drive hunts in Taiji since the hunting season started in September. Recent reports from Taiji also suggest that a group of bottlenose dolphins were recently slaughtered in the past few days. Several hunts at the beginning of the season spared bottlenose dolphins and focused on the slaughter of pilot whales instead, an apparent response to international pressure surrounding the release of the movie worldwide. The hunts are also used to select dolphins to capture alive for the aquarium industry. This is exposed in WDCS’ report Driven By Demand. See www.drivenbydemand.org.
On a more positive note, WDCS is pleased to learn that The Cove will advance in the voting process for the 82nd Academy Awards (‘Oscars’), to be announced in February 2010. Documentary committee members will next short-list the playing field from 15 films to five as the film hopefully advances through the ranks. 89 films originally qualified for this category. For the full story: http://www.oscars.org/press/pressreleases/2009/20091118a.html.
The Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2009 will be presented on Sunday, March 7, 2010, at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, and televised live by the ABC Television Network. The Oscar presentation also will be televised live in more than 200 countries worldwide.
Ric O’Barry, campaigns director for SaveJapanDolphins Coalition, and subject of The Cove, will be speaking on Larry King Live on Thanksgiving at 8PM EST/5PM Pacific. Actor Ben Stiller and Ric will be Larry’s special guests to talk about the Save Japan Dolphins Campaign, The Cove and the drive hunts in Japan. CNN will be broadcasting this story in over 122 countries!
Further details about the hunts can be found here: http://www.wdcs.org/stop/captivity/story_details.php?select=489