SPECIAL SCREENING OF THE COVE IN THAILAND

By Lauren Downie

Love Wildlife Foundation, Thailand

Around 100 people attended the screening of The Cove at the Myeena Centre in Bangkok, Thailand, on Wednesday 28th September 2011.  Some came along simply to see a free movie and hang out with friends; some attended because they wanted to support the cause of dolphins in Taiji; while others were excited by the chance to meet Ric O’Barry, activist and star of the movie.

People arrived early, and showed a keen interest from the outset in the information on offer.  Many people had reserved seats at the front in order to optimise their viewing positions.  People milled around, gathering leaflets, asking questions about the campaign, buying T-Shirts (complete with Angry Dolphin logo), and browsing the wildlife photography on display by a local photographer.

When the movie started, the audience watched with hushed curiosity.  The movie was received with attentive captivation and the occasional giggle at the audacity of some of the utterances of the Japanese government officials and IWC representatives.  More than a few tears were shed during the unforgettable scenes towards the end of the movie where the water in the infamous Cove in Taiji turns thick and red from the spilt blood from the screaming dolphins slowly dying as they are rounded up and stabbed repeatedly by the fishermen.

Afterwards, Ric O’Barry and Mark Berman of Earth Island Institute, and Edwin Wiek, Executive Director of Wildlife Friends of Thailand, took to the stage to answer the many questions audience members threw at them.  There were lots of encouraging and supportive comments from people of many differing backgrounds, teachers, journalists, lawyers, and students.  There were some more challenging and controversial questions too.  A child in the audience wanted to know if people change their minds about watching dolphin shows after watching The Cove?  I certainly hope they do; I know I’ll never think about SeaWorld and it’s numerous counterparts in the same light again.  Overall the feeling was of wanting to help, with people asking “What can we do about it?”  Mark Berman clearly pointed out the biggest impact we can make on this mindless slaughter of 23,000 dolphins per year is to boycott dolphin shows, dolphinariums and any tourist agency that endorses such places.

After the talks, Love Wildlife’s desks were bombarded with people wanting to sign the petition to stop dolphins in captivity in Thailand, to buy T-shirts to support the cause, to offer their time as volunteers to help where they can and to find out more information about what is happening in Thailand right now, and what they can do to help stop it.

Ultimately, it felt like a very successful night.  Although the scenes of the dolphin slaughter were saddening, sombre and grotesque, it seemed every member of the crowd left buzzing with enthusiasm and energy to try to make a difference.

You can help by pledging to not buy a ticket to a swim-with-dolphins program or a dolphinarium: Click HERE