Armed with state-of-the-art surveillance equipment, the members of the small group, led by the most famous dolphin trainer in the world, devise a covert plan to infiltrate the cove to document the horrifying events that happen there. Along the way, they uncover what may be the largest health crisis facing our planet — the poisoning of our seas.

Part environmental documentary, part horror film, part spy thriller, The Cove is as suspenseful as it is enlightening. The final result is a heart-wrenching, but inspirational, story that shows the true power of film in the hands of people who aren't afraid to risk everything for a vital cause.

Editors Review:
When entering the small Japanese town of Taijii, Wakayama, Japan, there are pictuires of dolphins everywhere — on the pavement, walls of buildings, — a town that obviously revered the dolphin big time. Nothing could have been further from the truth.

Former dolphin trainer of the Flipper series, Ric Barry, realises the terrible mistake of keeping dolphins in captivity. He observed Cathy (the first of the ‘Flipper series’ dolphins), recognise herself on TV — the first animal to demonstrate self-awareness. Dolphins were being medicated on Tagamet to heal their stress ulcers in captivity. Their sonar is capable of picking up a heartbeat and very early pregnancy in the human being; this sensitivity to sound being their downfall in the Cove massacre. Dolphins are not automatic air breathers and many just gave up and stopped breathing — suicide was their only way out of the sheer hell of captivity. Further studies revealed the true nature of possibly the most intelligent creature on earth. Nick Barry realised too, that the Dolphin’s ‘smile’ was an illusion.

The Cove at Taiji becomes one of his passionate focal points when he discovered over 23000 dolphins are slaughtered or sold there each year. A selected young female can bring US$150,000 to the Japanese fishermen and is worth a cool US$1,000,000 a year to the dolphin marinelands as entertainment value.

The rest of the dolphins are slaughtered and sold for around $600. Their meat contains about 2000 parts per million of mercury, the World Health Organisation safety limit for humans is 4 parts per million. The meat was being sold to children for their school lunches (which are compulsory in Japan) and marketed under whale meat in supermarkets to avoid detection.

A group of men and women risked their lives to document this terrible slaughter. Imprisonment in Japan is without legal redress for at least 28 days, during which time detainees may be legally tortured. Over 96% ‘confess’ before their 28 days are up.

The fishermen said they were not doing anything illegal, in fact they refused to accept money rather than slaughter the dolphins, as they were taking part in ‘pest control’ (dolphins ate their coastal fish). The Oceanic group placed hidden cameras to observe the killings in The Cove. Herded by boats carrying sound gongs that disorientated the dolphins, spears turned the whole sea bright red with blood, dolphins writhed in agony, young pups called in vain for their mothers and fishermen watched with a smile on their face and a cigarette to celebrate.

The International Whaling Commission is totally ineffectual against dolphin slaughter, as Dolphins are not protected under any Agreement. Japan ‘buys’ favours from poor nigh bankrupt nations, and don’t like being told what to do by anyone at the IWC. Besides, the Japanese just about ‘own’ the commission in the monetary support they give behind the scenes… the whole set up is a farce.

You need to take a deep breath before settling to watch this film. It has you on edge for the entire session. And when you come out of the cinema and go home, and wake up the next day, and mow the lawns the next week, and plan the holiday next year, you don’t forget.

See my Editorial on NZ’s stand!!!

After watching the new DVD that Clyde and Steve Graf have released, I must admit, I was pretty upset. Others that saw it were wide-eyed in disbelief and some even felt like being sick. What am I talking about?

The DVD starts with a short history on the Graf brothers, how they were bought up in the bush, and their close association with the outdoors and hunting. When you see the detail of their DVD and the huge amount of work that it would have taken to put together you really have to take your hat off to them. When you listen right to the end, you will see that there is no hidden agenda, no donations asked for, nothing. It’s cold, factual, informative and really gripping stuff to watch.

The tape itself has short bursts of contrasting footage that will keep you riveted to the edge of your seat. You’ll hear in disbelief what Forest and Bird and others have to say; you’ll see TV footage that will have you shaking your head in awe.

You’ll see a tourist driving down the road as a helicopter delivers 1080 right overhead, squashing the deadly poison on the road underneath their car tyres!

Walking tracks are seen littered with baits, dead deer on the roadside, dead pigs in rivers, and much, much more. You will see animals dying of 1080 poison and it’s not a pretty sight. You’ll see dead birds of many types, native birds eating 1080, footage of a weka eating carrot bait and a hawk eating off a carcase then falling from the sky! There is actually footage of freshwater crayfish fighting over 1080 baits!

You’ll see people talk about cover-ups and lies. You’ll hear about false reporting and the hiding of documents. You’ll see scientists warn about what is happening, and lots of them too. They have scientific warnings about what this chemical could do if it entered the water supply, then footage of streams full of the stuff — right in water catchments for drinking!

This documentary has a large proportion that is scientifically based as many experts in their field speak about the devastating effects that 1080 could and does have.

This rural-based DVD is in stark contrast to the western world of electronics and computers. When you are dealing so closely with people’s lives, you would think that our government would err on the side of caution, wouldn’t you?

If you care about the animals and bush in NZ, get a copy of this DVD. Buy an extra one for someone you know and send on to your local MP or newspaper. Think of it as a small donation to support two great guys who have taken years out of their lives to try and help the environment and every one of you!

Do it right now.
All proceeds will go towards the fight to stop aerial 1080 use.”

Running time 1 ¾ hours.

For your copy send your cheque of $40 per DVD or $70 for two DVD’s to:
NZ Outdoor Hunting Magazine
Freepost 83880
PO Box 13370
Tauranga 3141
Or
Freephone 0800 222308 or ph: (07) 541 3553 with your credit card details.
email: info@nzoutdoor.co.nz
Visit online: www.nzoutdoor.co.nz

Add $5 for courier per order within NZ or $10 post to Australia.
I will personally give you a money back guarantee if you are not totally, 100% satisfied!
Martin Askes, Editor — Outdoors Magazine

Editor, Animal Health Magazine:
I totally endorse the above comments. A warning — some content will disturb.
Watch out John Key and your reckless mates — when our tourist industry collapses, when our food exports plummet, when we’re crossed off the world’s invitation to survive list, perhaps then will you know we mean business.

THERE WILL BE OVER 2000 COPIES OF THIS DVD SENT AROUND THE WORLD FOR PUBLIC VIEWING, perhaps then, and only then, will some red-faced, spluttering, lying, crooked, arsehole of a government employee from the Department of Conservation finally have to stand up and take the rap.... or do we wait until a child dies from the stuff? ED.

If we had interplanetary beings appraise our magnificent blue and green earth, what they would certainly feel is the sense of bewilderment, abandonment, and intense suffering that the human species has inflicted on this planet; if these galactic beings were to save this planet, extermination of the majority of humans would be seen as the only choice.

Powerful, informative and thought-provoking, EARTHLINGS is by far the most comprehensive documentary ever produced on the correlation between nature, animals and human economic interests.