Faroe Islands' ancient tradition of killing pilot whales
The Faroe Islands, in the harsh north Atlantic, between Scotland and Iceland, are part of the Kingdom of Denmark. The diverse community of around 50,000 people has traditions dating back centuries and a remarkably low crime rate. Yet the Faroese are often called the last barbarians of Europe. Recent pictures of their bloody custom, the slaughter of pilot whales, went viral on the internet and in the media. Seeing marine mammals being killed and hacked into pieces while children play in the blood-red waters shocked the global community and sparked controversy. Animal activists enlisted celebrities to support a campaign against the killing of pilot whales. Unmoved, the Faroese are determined to continue their tradition and devise ever new weapons for killing the "grinds", insisting that it's no different to killing any other animal for food.
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