Barbaric footage of Japanese whaling the Australian government tried to stop the world seeing
he film shows a Japanese research ship chasing down and killing minke whale in areas designated for wildlife conservation
Horrific footage showing the grim realities of Japanese whaling in Australian waters has been shown for the first time after a five-year legal battle by animal rights protestors.
Conservation charity Sea Shepherd won the case against the Australian government who refused to hand over the footage despite a Freedom of Information request in 2012.
Filmed in 2008 by customs officials the graphic footage shows a Japanese research ship chasing down and killing minke whale in areas designated for wildlife conservation.
The animal is harpooned, dragged alongside the boat before being hoisted up.
According to the Asian Correspondent website the boats race after the mammals at a speed of 24knots, faster than the 17knots the whales are able to swim at.The whale was harpooned
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Horrific footage showing the grim realities of Japanese whaling in Australian waters has been shown for the first time after a five-year legal battle by animal rights protestors.
Conservation charity Sea Shepherd won the case against the Australian government who refused to hand over the footage despite a Freedom of Information request in 2012.
Filmed in 2008 by customs officials the graphic footage shows a Japanese research ship chasing down and killing minke whale in areas designated for wildlife conservation.
The animal is harpooned, dragged alongside the boat before being hoisted up.
According to the Asian Correspondent website the boats race after the mammals at a speed of 24knots, faster than the 17knots the whales are able to swim at.
The whale was harpooned (Image: Humane Society International (HSI))
The animal was chased down (Image: Humane Society International (HSI))
It was hauled into the boat (Image: Humane Society International (HSI))
The dead animals were held on board before being chopped up (Image: Sea Shepherd/Youtube)
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The Australian Government was concerned that its release would harm diplomatic relations with Japan, ABC Australia reports.
Sea Shepherd Australia managing director Jeff Hansen said: "When these whales are hit with an explosive harpoon, it sends shrapnel through their bodies and then hooks come out.
“There’s no way for these whales to escape.
"They’re thrashing around trying to get away from these harpoon ships, but the cable drags them back up to the surface.”
