Breaking/happening now: 80-100 dolphins rounded up for annual slaughter ritual in Taiji, Japan. First pic with the sign is from today. Though, word is the slaughter began late this afternoon. The second picture is from last year’s round-up.

They essentially wrangle the dolphin in to this hidden area, have dolphin-trainers from around the world come pick out dolphins they think are worth training, and then the fishermen kill the rest.

The people of Japan don’t really know what’s happening because the local and national government keeps it a giant secret. The killing also takes places in a giant alcove where no one can see how the dolphins are killed. Via.

Movie about the slaughter: The Cove.

Current petition Japanese government.

UPDATE: CNN ireport