25/07/2026
In the Faroe Islands, more than 700 pilot whales and dolphins were killed in a single day during a traditional hunt.
Known as the grindadráp, the practice is defended by many locals as part of their cultural identity. Boats drive the animals into shallow bays where escape is almost impossible.
What makes it especially heartbreaking is the way pilot whales live. They form close family groups, often led by females. When one animal is in danger, others tend to stay nearby instead of fleeing. As a result, entire family groups can end up stranded together.
Animal welfare and conservation organizations have criticized these hunts for decades, yet they remain legal in the Faroe Islands. With oceans warming, food routes changing and fishing pressure increasing, researchers also warn that removing so many marine animals may further strain an already fragile ocean ecosystem.