Japan’s scientific research program yet to uncover why whales die when speared with a giant harpoon

Whales on Japanese Ship

After decades of research, Japanese scientists are no closer to discovering why whales suddenly die when tracked down, surrounded and then shot with an explosive-tipped harpoon.

“It’s a phenomenon that’s baffled us to date,” said Hayato Takahashi, one of Japan’s chief whale scientists. “Every time we shoot a whale with a harpoon, it dies. That’s why our ongoing scientific research program is so important – to crack this mystery once and for all”.

Mr Takahashi said that while progress was being made, realistically it would be a long time before the phenomenon was truly understood.

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