HUNDREDS of whales have been trapped and slaughtered in the Faroe Islands as part of a sickening annual tradition.
The coastline of the North Atlantic archipelago was turned red with blood as crowds – including young children – eagerly watched on.
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The sea is turned bright red by the blood of slaughtered whales and dolphins
Hundreds of animals are stacked up along the shoreline as part of the tradition Credit: CPWF UK/Triangle News
The “grindadrap” is a Viking tradition that sees pilot whales and dolphins rounded up and driven into shallow waters with boats.
The terrified animals are beached, and fisherman then brutally slaughter them with knives on the shore.
The locals then feast on their meat and blubber as part of the 1,000-year-old tradition.
Shocking images of the ghastly ritual go viral on social every year – and this year is no exception.
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The animals are lured into shallow waters before they are beached Credit: AFP or licensors
Fisherman wait on the shoreline, armed with knives to carry out the slaughter Credit: Rex Features
Gruesome pictures shows dozens of carcasses lined up along the shorefront.
The sea behind them has turned bright red as the animals’ blood pours into the waves.
The tradition been heavily condemned by animal rights groups who consider the practise outdated and barbaric.
Opponents argue that pilot whales and dolphins are intelligent, social animals that experience significant stress when driven ashore.
However, the Faroese state – which is an autonomous territory of Denmark – argues it is a key part of the region’s cultural identity, providing free food for the community.
Authorities maintain that the hunt is carefully regulated and that modern methods are designed to minimise suffering.
They also argue that pilot whale populations in the North Atlantic remain healthy and that the hunt is sustainable.
Although there is no official quota of how many animals are killed annually, previous estimates suggest more than a thousand are slaughtered each year.
Last year, it is believed 814 long-finned pilot whales and and white-sided dolphins were killed.
In 2021, around 1,500 dolphins were slaughtered in a single day, sparking criticism both internationally and within the Faroe Islands themselves.
In the wild, male long-finned pilot whales can live up to 45 years.
Females of the species can live even longer – up to 60 years.
Whales and dolphins play a vital role in maintaining healthy marine ecosystems.
Their movements through the ocean recycle nutrients, bringing essential elements from deep waters to the surface.
Whale wasteacts as a natural fertiliser, boosting the growth of phytoplankton – which forms the foundation of many marine food webs.
These animals also support biodiversity by creating conditions that benefit a wide range of ocean species.
