Blood Dolphins

In the 2010 Animal Planet documentary series Blood Dolphins, the audience is given an eye-opening look into the dark underside of the global dolphin hunting industry and the captive dolphin trade. The show spans across three episodes, narrated and led by Ric O'Barry and his son Lincoln O'Barry, two renowned marine conservationists committed to saving dolphins across the globe.

Ric O'Barry may be familiar to some viewers from the Academy Award-winning documentary, The Cove, which exposed the brutal dolphin slaughter in Taiji, Japan. In Blood Dolphins, he continues his mission, expanding the scope to cover not only the slaughter in Taiji but also the larger, global perspective of dolphin captivity and exploitation.

Ric O'Barry's credentials in the dolphin conservation world are unparalleled. Before dedicating himself to saving dolphins' lives, he worked as a dolphin trainer for the popular 1960s television show Flipper. When one of the dolphins playing Flipper died in his arms, from what he believes was a consequence of stress-related illness due to captivity, he was prompted to facing the harsh realities of the industry. From that point on, he swore to devote his life to ending dolphin captivity and slaughter.

Blood Dolphins begins where The Cove left off, delving deeper into the Taiji dolphin hunts. Over three gripping episodes, the show captures the sheer brutality of these hunts, as well as the sad journey these captured dolphins undergo from being forcibly removed from the wild to being trained and sold to parks and resorts around the world.

Beyond the gruesome hunts, Blood Dolphins also sheds light on the booming international demand for dolphins, a major driver of these hunts. Ric and Lincoln O'Barry explore how dolphins are trained, exploited, and sold for exorbitant prices globally, fuelling an industry that thrives on animal suffering.

This harrowing journey takes the team beyond Japan, extending to the Solomon Islands, another hotspot of wild dolphin capture. Here, the O'Barrys negotiate with native tribes, challenging the age-old tradition of killing dolphins for their teeth as a status symbol, and encouraging locals to shift towards a more sustainable and compassionate relationship with their marine environment.

Despite the heavy subject matter, Blood Dolphins isn't all doom and gloom. It also highlights the moments of triumph when the O'Barrys and their team are successful in halting hunts, freeing captured dolphins, or enlightening former hunters about the cruelty they’re perpetuating. It demonstrates hopeful moments, showcasing the good that can come when people choose compassion and respect for nature over selfish interests.

Although the show aired over a decade ago, the issues it brings to attention are as relevant today as they were then. The series is compelling and provocative. Each episode is a call to action, asking viewers not to turn a blind eye to the suffering inflicted upon these intelligent and complex creatures. The series emphasizes not just the responsibility of the hunters, but also that of the consumers who unknowingly support these activities through their patronage of dolphin shows and swim-with-dolphin programs.

Blood Dolphins is a powerful, informative, and shocking documentary series that leaves a deep and lasting impression. The O'Barrys' passion and commitment to their cause shine throughout the series, offering inspiration and hope amidst the heart-wrenching realities of the destructive dolphin trade.

Overall, this series is a must-watch for anyone with a passion for marine life, conservation, or animal rights. It serves as a powerful reminder of the need for humanity to turn away from practices that harm the planet and its creatures, towards a future advocating for justice and respect for all beings.