This year the Faroe Islands’ whaling tradition has begun with the killing of some 300 mammals by approximately 70 hunters despite the coronavirus threat.
Over 250 whales have been mercilessly butchered for their meat in a gory annual ritual, which went ahead despite the Covid-19 pandemic.
The innocent whales have been slaughtered as part of the annual ‘Grindadràp’ ritual that has been going on for 1,000 years.
The controversial tradition takes place after the first hunt of the year and all participating hunters have to obtain a license to take part in the event.
As part of the ritual, fishermen gather in Hvalba, a village in the Faroe Islands -a group of islands in the North Atlantic between Norway and Iceland.
The hunt sees vessels herd migratory whales and dolphins swimming past the shores of the Danish territory in a bay.
The fishermen then wade in up to their midriffs and hack them with knives, turning the sea bloody red.
‘Barbaric practice’
According to Sea Shepherd campaigners, a non-profit marine conservation, the “barbaric practice” has already slaughtered 35 dolphins along with the 252 pilot whales this week.
An estimated 100,000 pilot whales swim near the Faroe Islands each year.
“252 long-finned pilot whales and 35 Atlantic white-sided dolphins were killed in Hvalba last night after the huge pod was found off Sandvik,” a spokesperson for Sea Shepherd told The Daily Star.
Shocking images released from the event show fishermen wading around the dead carcasses as the whales are hauled to the shore.
The meat from the hunt is first distributed among the hunt participants and the surplus is then given away to people residing in the villages on Suðuroy.
Whale meat is a dietary staple on the island. Villagers relish the meat boiled or served as steak.
‘Insane blood sport’
The century old tradition has been going on despite numerous animal rights groups condemning the act.
Non-profit group ORCA posted on Twitter: “To the beautiful family of pilot whales that were brutally murdered in the Danish #FaroeIslands, we are so deeply sorry.
“We will keep fighting to end this insane blood sport. RIP beautiful family… Please Boycott the Faroe Islands!”
To the beautiful family of pilot whales that were brutally murdered in the Danish #FaroeIslands, we are so deeply sorry… We will keep fighting to end this insane blood sport. RIP beautiful family…
— ORCA (@OceanicRescue) July 17, 2020
Please Boycott the Faroe Islands! #GrindStop #Denmark #StopKillingWhales pic.twitter.com/XCn7yzHCTv
The Blue Planet Society condemning the blood sport said the cetaceans were “brutally and cruelly slaughtered” despite the fact that the Faroe Islands are part of the Kingdom of Denmark (an EU country) in which both pilot whales and white-sided dolphins are considered protected species.
Share this story: Insane Blood Sport: Danish waters turn red with 250 slaughtered whales’ blood
Lifestyle
Vegan culture, food, beauty & more
75% of Brits prefer vegan cars, says new study
- Mohsina Dodhiya
- 17th May 2022
A number of companies already offer a variety of plant-based leathers using everything from apples and cactus to pineapple leaves. A new poll has revealed that a majority of UK motorists are keen on buying fully vegan cars. In a research commissioned by the Vegan Society, people were asked about their opinions on vegan cars …
Continue reading “75% of Brits prefer vegan cars, says new study”
Three critically endangered Sumatran tigers die caught in animal traps
- Mohsina Dodhiya
- 25th April 2022
It is estimated that fewer than 400 Sumatran tigers remain in the wild. Three critically endangered Sumatran tigers have died after being caught in traps on Indonesia’s Sumatra island. This is the latest blow for a species whose numbers are estimated to have dropped to about several hundreds. Local authorities found two of the dead …
Continue reading “Three critically endangered Sumatran tigers die caught in animal traps”
VEGAN MEMES
NEED A LAUGH?
QUIZZES
All the quizzes you love to binge!
QUIZ: If you score 11/12 on this quiz, you’re a verified vegan food expert
- Marlon Farrugia
- 10th January 2020
How much vegan knowledge do you have stored away? Do you have to Google your way through a shopping trip, or do you have all the bad E-numbers memorised? Find out now with this quiz. Marlon Farrugia Marlon Farrugia is a freelance writer from Brighton. He has been a dedicated vegan for many years, and …
Continue reading “QUIZ: If you score 11/12 on this quiz, you’re a verified vegan food expert”
QUIZ: What is your perfect Vegan Halloween Costume?
- Marlon Farrugia
- 13th October 2019
Spook Season approaches. There will be ghosts, goblins, ghouls, and glucose. You need a costume, and you want to it to show off your personality, which means VEGAN. But what to choose? Take our quiz to find out your perfect outfit. Marlon Farrugia Marlon Farrugia is a freelance writer from Brighton. He has been a …
Continue reading “QUIZ: What is your perfect Vegan Halloween Costume?”
QUIZ: What kind of vegetable are you?
- Marlon Farrugia
- 26th September 2019
“If you were a vegetable, what kind would you be?” A question that has tormented humanity throughout the ages – until now. Read: QUIZ: If you score 19/20 on THIS quiz, you’re a Vegan God Marlon Farrugia Marlon Farrugia is a freelance writer from Brighton. He has been a dedicated vegan for many years, and …