A solidarity mural calling for an end to dolphin captivity and greater protection for marine mammals was unveiled on September 1, 2026 at the University of the Philippines Diliman as environmental groups marked the start of Japan’s annual Taiji dolphin hunt season.

The Art Attack: Dolphin Mural Action, organized by Earth Island Institute Asia Pacific (EII-AP) and partner organizations in observance of Japan Dolphin Day, brought together environmental artists AG Saño, Voltaire Guray, Pam Liban, Yesha Castillo, and Dakila Cutab, alongside volunteers and animal welfare advocates to collaboratively create the mural at the PAUW-UP Child Study Center into a public artwork advocating for marine mammal conservation. 

The event draws attention to the annual Taiji dolphin drive hunts, which begin every September and continue until March. Independent monitoring of the 2025–2026 Taiji hunting season documented 84 dolphins captured alive for the captive display industry and 416 dolphins slaughtered for meat. 

Advocates highlighted that continuing demand for marine parks and dolphinariums fuels the live capture of dolphins worldwide.

“Many people enjoy dolphin shows without realizing that the animals performing there were taken from the wild,” said Trixie Concepcion, Regional Director of Earth Island Institute Asia Pacific. “The captive display industry and the Taiji dolphin hunts are directly connected. As long as there is demand for dolphin entertainment, there will be a market for wild-caught dolphins. We encourage everyone to choose ethical wildlife tourism and boycott dolphin shows and other attractions that profit from keeping wild animals in captivity.”

For renowned environmental artist AG Saño, the mural is more than a work of art—it is a public statement of solidarity with marine wildlife.

“Public art has the power to turn walls into conversations,” said AG Saño. “This mural is our reminder that dolphins are not performers—they are sentient beings with a rightful place in the ocean. We hope everyone who passes by this wall leaves with a deeper respect for marine life and a commitment to protect it.”

Atty. Anna Cabrera, Executive Director of the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), emphasized that compassion for animals means respecting their natural lives.

“In captivity, dolphins spend their lives in confinement and are conditioned to perform tricks in exchange for food,” said Atty. Anna Cabrera, Executive Director of the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS). “The use of food restriction as a training tool, together with the loss of their freedom and natural social lives, is fundamentally inconsistent with the welfare of these intelligent and highly social animals. They belong in the ocean—not performing for human entertainment.”

“Every ticket purchased for a dolphin show helps sustain an industry that profits from confining wild animals for entertainment,” said Jana Sevilla, Campaigner of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) Asia. “When people choose not to support these attractions, they help reduce the demand that drives dolphin captures and captivity. Every brushstroke today represents our collective commitment to keep dolphins safe, wild, and free.”

[Press release: Earth Island Institute – Asia Pacific]