her time out
killed in the cove and another 171 were sold into captivity. Had they attempted to intervene, Kerry and the other activists would have faced jail or deportation; neither of which would have benefitted their cause of raising awareness. Instead they harnessed the power of social media and reported the devastation in the cove to activists all over the world in real time. In turn, these activists made thousands of calls, sent thousands of emails and faxes, and organised protests at Japanese embassies across the world. "The presence of the Cove Guardians was felt – our voices were heard," Kerry says. "The brutal killers of the Taiji Fisheries Union struggled to conceal their savagery behind blue tarps, but they were not successful. The world bore witness to the senseless killing of some of natures most beautiful and intelligent creatures. "Marine Scientist, Diana Reiss has proven and documented that cetaceans have an intelligence similar to humans. Mammals in aquariums are on medications for stomach ulcers caused by stress, anti-depressants and antibiotics. The highlight of my work is rescuing whales. While across the world they're being slaughtered, thank goodness we opt to save them instead of kill them in New Zealand. "Why do people think that because seals are different to humans they don't feel? All mothers have the same instinct – to protect, nurture and love their young." Last July Kerry was asked by Earth Race NZ to go with a team to Namibia to document and protest a baby seal slaughter, which is paid for and profited by a Turkish businessman living in Australia. "Hatem Yavuz pays poor Namibian people a few dollars a day while he makes $20,000 + per fur seal jacket. This slaughter had been called the cruelest in the world, with around 85,000
88 | February/March 2012 | HER MAGAZINE
