Sea Turns Red As 250 Whales And Dolphins Are Slaughtered In One Day At Faroe Islands

Vile pictures show the sea deep red with blood after the slaughter of hundreds of whales during an annual ritual in the Faroe Islands.

Activists have spoken out condemning the horrific killings - which occur as part of a 1,000 year old tradition - and called for them to be stopped once and for all.

As this year's first hunt got under way, more than 250 whales were brutally murdered, according to campaigners.

In what is described as an "insane blood sport" the defenceless animals are cornered by hunters as they travel through the Danish shores, and herded toward the beach.

There, they're violently stabbed to death with spears.

Speaking out on the atrocity, activists Sea Shepherd said in a statement: "252 long finned pilot whales and 35 Atlantic white sided dolphins were killed in Hvalba last night after the huge pod was found off Sandvik.

"This is the first organised grindadrap hunt of 2020 with the meat from the hunt distributed first to the approximately 70 hunt participants from the boats and those killing on the beach - and then the remainder to villages on Suðuroy with all recipients then free to sell their share of the meat if they so wish."

Sadly, the hunt won't be the last, either.

On average, 1500 dolphins are massacred each year in the Faroe Islands - a North Atlantic archipelago that sits in the middle of Norway and Iceland.

These hunters have a hunting license, and are free to brutally murder the innocent animals as they wish.

The Sea Shepherds aren't the only charity to publicly denounce the practice.

Environmental charity ORCA also tweeted: "To the beautiful family of pilot whales that were brutally murdered in the Danish #FaroeIslands, we are so deeply sorry...

"We will keep fighting to end this insane blood sport. RIP beautiful family... Please Boycott the Faroe Islands!"

The traditional whale hunt has been occurring on the islands ever since Norsemen first settled there over one thousand years ago.

During the slaughters, no whale's life is spared, from pregnant mothers to weaning babies.

It is estimated that there are now under a million long finned pilot whales left.

To donate to Sea Shepherds and help their fight to save the whales, click here.

Topics: Life News, News, Animal Welfare, Animals

Joanna Freedman

Joanna is a journalist at Tyla with a particular interest in highlighting women's issues and telling inspiring first person stories. She's also their resident foodie, and loves covering exciting new beauty launches, too. Contact her at [email protected].

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