Home : Critters : Cheerleader in Dolphin Crusade

Cheerleader in Dolphin Crusade

Posted Nov 1st 2007 12:31PM by TMZ Staff

Hayden Panettiere is truly a maritime hero! She was recently seen in Japan, on a mission to save dolphins from slaughter by local fishermen -- an estimated 23,000 dolphins are killed every year.


Hayden and a few other surfers from the US and Australia went into the waters off Japan in an effort to drive the dolphins away from a hidden cove where the killings are carried out in secret. Angry fisherman used propellers of boats to scare surfers away, and even used a hook to intimidate the activists. After an intense struggle, surfers from the Save the Whales Again Campaign had to give up -- forced to leave the water due to the extremely dangerous situation.

After the frustrating attempt to save the mammals, an emotional Hayden said that when she was in the water, she saw a baby dolphin sticking his head out, literally "sky hopping." Hayden said, "The thought that the baby is no longer with us is very difficult."

Comments [103]
SHARE |
4ie6

Reader Comments

(Page 2 of 7) Previous 15 Comments | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments

16. I just signed the petition and will send this link to all of my friends. I was not aware this was going on. This is just HORRIBLE!!! It broke my heart to see this horrible action, how can people do this. Hopefully something is done to stop this HORRIBLE AND CRUEL ACT!!

Posted at 4:58PM on Nov 1st 2007 by Johana

17. The more I learn about the Asian culture's total lake of respect for animal life, the more I am digusted with them. This video is terrible and I too cried. I wish people were not so cold hearted and cruel. But then again, look at what we do to each other - human life is of no value to many, so why would animal life be any different? Its a sad world. Those who care should do what we can to help innocent life.

Posted at 3:58PM on Nov 1st 2007 by Juju

18. Will somebody with money and power do something to stop this right now please get the japenese to pass a law against this kind of thing hire some lawyers and lobbiests...I know there are issues of animal and human rights everywhere in the world but let's deal with this one right now and not use other issues to distract us from this ...countless daulphins have saved the lifes of humans it's our turn now...stop buying products from overseas althoug it's kind of impossible thanks to stores like walmart

Posted at 2:31PM on Nov 1st 2007 by mike

19. supply and demand - its sad -

Posted at 1:28PM on Nov 1st 2007 by feldmans enemy

20. I am so appalled at this! Thank you Hayden and thank you TMZ for posting this story. It is extemely upsetting but has made me want to do something to help stop this disgusting practice.

Posted at 1:38PM on Nov 1st 2007 by Go Hayden!

21. That fisherman needs to die himself!!!!!! I didn't (couldn't) watch the whole video or read the story it was far to disturbing to see. Dolphins are kind and gentle and vey friendly, I live in SoCal. and often go to the beach where I have had a chance to swim with them and they will come right up to you and play, swim, even allow you to ride on their backs. If I were to ever come in contacted with this guy, let's just say he would be fishing just not from a boat. Hayden thanks for your efforts to save these Dolphins, maybe if hundreds of people went to chase this A-Hole away for good the dolphins could live in peace.

Posted at 2:16PM on Nov 1st 2007 by Michael

22. take action now follow the link and take action write your comments the power is in numbers

http://www.savejapandolphins.org/takeActionContacts.html

Posted at 2:30PM on Nov 1st 2007 by mike

23. Yay!! Go Hayden!!

Killing dolphins is SICK!

OK...lunchtime, anyone hungry for sushi?

Posted at 1:36PM on Nov 1st 2007 by FrankTheCrank

24. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPHytwPoyeo
Youtube link.

Posted at 1:48PM on Nov 1st 2007 by Renelle

25. I work on marine mammal issues, and was fortunate enough to interview Hayden and her brother on-camera at the International Whaling Commission meeting in Alaska last May. They are both very cool, very informed, and geninely concerned about the issues. I was impressed.

Posted at 1:52PM on Nov 1st 2007 by KMan

26. This is so appalling!! Good for Hayden and the other protesters. If they were not there, we would not have learned of this horrible practice. Please click on the save the dolphins link and send emails to the Japanese officials. Let them know the world is watching and wants this slaughter to end!

Posted at 2:00PM on Nov 1st 2007 by HW

27. This is absolutely horrible....can the US do anything to stop this? Is there anyone else to help? Go Hayden & Team..but..this is a very serious scary act..to harm these beautiful smart creatures??? What is wrong with these people? I hope that TMZ and the influential stars that TMZ covers can get somebody's attention to stop this..relocate these dolphins to a sanctuary here in the USA!!! Someone SOS SOS....Anyone who has experienced swimming or working with these mammals ..will never forget what an experience it is..how powerful they are..and to see them so helpless to these so called "fisherman"...truly disgusting people! Hope TMZ gets the coverage those dolphins need to get someone to move on this issue..Concerned Floridian Concerned America!

Posted at 6:17PM on Nov 5th 2007 by Tiff

28. This story made me so sick, I went to their website and donated $50. The pictures of the red water are horrible. It's great that Hayden is getting the word out. TMZ should cough up some money! Come on Harvey!

Posted at 2:19PM on Nov 1st 2007 by sheesh

29. How very typically arrogant of westerners...going into a foreign country/culture and telling them what they should or shouldn't do. Number 12 is right: it's part of the culture in Japan to eat dolphins. Just like it's part of the culture in the U.S. to eat beef...but you don't see Hindus from India coming to the U.S. demanding we "give up such a disgusting and offensive thing." Just because dolphins have been exalted in the west as cute, cuddly creatures doesn't mean the rest of the world sees it the same way. If people tried to slaughter and eat dolphins here in the U.S., I'd say catch them and prosecute them to the full extent of the law. BUT THE DOLPHIN CULLING IN THIS STORY HAPPENS IN JAPAN! Who the hell is Hayden to go to their country and tell them what their culture should or shouldn't allow for food?! I'm so glad the Japanese fisherman scared the s**t out of Hayden and her moronic counterparts and forced them to give up their arrogant display of western cultural colonialism. If Hayden had any guts, she'd take on the American beef industry...not only for serving up beef for food; but for the horrible, inhumane way they treat the cattle before they slaughter them. But it's much easier to go to a foreign country and make noise there. Hayden is a coward. I hope she tries that in Japan again and they do more than scare her.

Posted at 2:24PM on Nov 1st 2007 by theyounglion

30. Number 25

There is a big difference between eating beef and eating dolphins

1) Beef are domesticated animals --> Dolphins are wild animals that are vital to the ocean's ecosystemt

2) There is no regulation on how many dolphins are killed --> this could lead to extinction of this species and dire consequences for other species in the ecosystem.

This is much different than raiding farms of domesticated animals --> Dolphins are wild and therefore are the concern of everyone b/c there survival is important for fisherman and the environment as a whole.

Posted at 2:34PM on Nov 1st 2007 by Dee

Previous 15 Comments | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments