Flipper Trainer Sues Japan’s Dolphin-Hunt Town for Animal Abuse

Environmental groups sued the Japanese town known for its annual cull of dolphins, saying it’s unconstitutionally keeping foreign observers away from dolphins held in captivity.

The Dolphin Project of California-based Earth Island Institute, led by former Flipper trainer Ric O’Barry, and Australia for Dolphins charge the Taiji Whale Museum bars access based on race to live dolphins kept on public display. The suit was filed in the Wakayama District Court against the government of Taiji, which owns the museum and organizes the dolphin cull, the groups said. The museum couldn’t be reached for comment today.