In a vote, JAZA asked domestic zoos and aquariums whether it should remain part of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums, which has urged the Japanese association not to take dolphins caught in the drive hunts amid an international outcry that the practice is cruel.
Among the 89 zoos and 63 aquariums that belong to JAZA, a majority voted to remain part of the global body, a decision that leaves them with no choice but to stop acquiring dolphins from the small fishery town in Wakayama Prefecture.
The World Association of Zoos and Aquariums suspended JAZA's membership last month over the issue, citing violation of the global body's "Code of Ethics and Animal Welfare." It also said the Japanese body would be expelled unless the situation is improved by Thursday.
If expelled, zoos and aquariums in Japan could face difficulty in seeking overseas cooperation for breeding rare animals and other issues.
But remaining in the global body and halting the acceptance of Taiji dolphins is also an issue of vital importance for aquariums that cannot breed dolphins on their own.
The aquariums could eventually face difficulty operating as they may not be able to find an alternative source of dolphins for their shows.
The world association, with a membership comprising over 50 countries and territories, requires all members to "adhere to policies that prohibit participating in cruel and non-selective methods of taking animals from the wild."
At the center of the controversy is the nature of the dolphin drive hunting off Taiji, Wakayama Prefecture, which is also known for its whaling culture.
In drive hunting, fishermen capture dolphins by herding them into coves as they bang metal poles against their fishing boats. The practice, however, has spurred international controversy, especially after the Oscar-winning 2009 U.S. documentary film "The Cove" showed the actual slaughter of dolphins during a drive hunt.
Taiji officials have said the method employed has changed since the film was released so as not to cause excessive suffering to dolphins. Local fishermen have also taken steps to address the situation, such as by separately capturing dolphins for edible use and those for aquarium use so that the latter will be caught without being hurt.
But concerns remain. In January last year, U.S. Ambassador to Japan Caroline Kennedy said on Twitter that she was "deeply concerned by inhumaneness of drive hunt dolphin killing" and that the U.S. government opposes such activities.
On the world body's suspension of JAZA's membership, a whale museum in Taiji, which rears many dolphins acquired from the local drive hunting, has criticized the global body for acting "emotionally."
source: www.abs-cbnnews.com
