An albino dolphin, captured during the massacre of Taiji

A small albino dolphin is now in a museum in Japan after being caught in controversy Taiji Dolphin Hunt.

"The albino dolphins attract much attention and are often attacked by predators' assistant said Museum Director Tetsuya Kirihata in a statement. "Surely he was protected by his mother and other dolphins. We take care ».

However, experts say it may not be so easy. "In similar situations, sometimes the offspring that have been fed by humans have regained their health, but others have died, so there is no security"Says Stan Kuczaj, University of Southern Mississippi.

"We know very little about the effects of trauma and stress on small mammals, but it seems clear that hunting has been both, so I could have an even greater risk, especially considering that he was separated from his mother"He adds.

Animal rights activists have dubbed Dolphin breeding as "Angel" in an attempt to draw attention to what they claim is a brutality, dolphin hunting.

The young albino was attractive to hunters who sell Taiji Dolphins aquatic parks in Asia and decided to save it to sell in captivity.

According to the group of animal protectors Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, noting the Taiji hunt, Angel was the first Dolphin selected for sale.

Albinism animal

Albino animals are easier and more prone to diseases prey, so do not usually survive. For example, most of the albino crocodile predators snapped up before they reach adulthood.

Albinism is relatively rare: Scientists estimate that occurs in about one in 10,000 births. Occurs in a wide variety of species and is caused by a genetic fault means melanin production.

Hunting in Japan

The hunting of dolphins in Taiji, where fishermen about 250 Dolphins lead to a bay, has been criticized by Caroline Kennedy, the new US Ambassador to Japan.

"Very concerned about the inhumanity of the killing of dolphins'He tweeted. "The US government opposes the hunt».

The annual slaughter takes place in the small Japanese town of Taiji from September to March and was the subject of the documentary The Cove, which won the Oscar in 2009.

This year, for four days in January, fishermen have been selected to be sold 52 dolphins in captivity have killed 41 for meat consumption, returning the rest to the Sea, according to Sea Shepherd Conservation Society.

SOURCE: Nationalgeographic.es