Sea turns red with blood as public slaughter hundreds of whales
Warning: This article contains mentions of animal cruelty and graphic images that some readers may find upsetting
It's that time of year again for the people of the Faroe Islands, whose annual tradition is to brutally butcher whole pods of cetaceans in shallow waters.
Known as the 'grindadráp', or 'grind', this massacring of pilot whales and dolphins dates back to the 9th century and has been regulated by the Faroese authorities for the past eight decades.
The controversial local practise is a form of 'drive hunting' that sees trained boatmen herding the sea creatures up to the sands, where they are beached and then butchered by the locals.
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On average, 700 animals are caught up in the organised chaos, with whole families seemingly unsheathing their knives alongside friends and neighbours.
As you can see in the pictures taken from these unforgettable scenes, the victims are lined up on the shore are either slowly dying or are already deceased, and the choppy tide turns a terrible crimson colour due to the sheer amount of blood spilled.
Despite outraging animal lovers across the globe, the residents of this autonomous Danish territory claim that the ritual is an integral part of the region's culture, providing rafts of food for the community.
Out in the wild, female pilot whales tend to live up to 60 years, while the opposite sex live around 15 years less.
As well as dolphins, it has been found that whales are sentient, social beings that, like humans, are vulnerable to emotional and social stresses.
'What an absolute horror show this is'
Reacting to a video of this year's 'grindadráp' posted on Facebook by activist Palli Ásbjørnsson Justesen, commenters were sickened by the casual barbarity on display, as parents and even their young kids stood by soaking up the blood-drenched scenery.
"What an absolute horror show this is, it has to be the worst place on this planet, full of evil and backward individuals who delight in slaughtering gentle innocent souls," wrote one incensed user.
"What a truly evil world mankind has created for animals."
Another shared: "Unreal!!!! It is mind-blowing heartbreak!!!!!!!!!! There is nothing good about this destruction of life!!!!! Shame on all of these people!!!!!" as someone else penned: "Repulsive. How on earth has this not been outlawed?"
How is the grindadráp still allowed to happen?
Despite endless campaigning and protesting from animal rights activists and people around the world, the annual slaughter of whales and dolphins is still legal in the Faroe Islands.
There are some restrictions in place, however.
For example, the Faroese government has banned the use of spears and harpoons, and has put an annual limit on the number of dolphins that hunters are allowed to catch.
But as the World Animal Protection argue, these restrictions do little to prevent the fear, pain and suffering that whales and dolphins endure every year.
Topics: Animals, Social Media, World News
Dan Seddon