Warning: The article and video below contain graphic details which may disturb some people.
"Heartbreaking" drone footage of a Japanese dolphin hunt has emerged, exposing the horrors the animals face as they are slaughtered.
According to Instagram account SaveTheReef, the video was captured by the Dolphin Project with a drone, showing what takes place during a hunt in Taiji, Japan.
The hunt reportedly occurred during the 2018/19 season, but SaveTheReef shared the footage on Wednesday (NZ time).
Footage shows a pod of dolphins being chased before they are grabbed by hunters and slaughtered.
SaveTheReef calls it "inhumane", and says the video was shared to raise awareness.
"Please share this video with your followers and tag people who need to see it and help us make sure these inhumane hunts are known around the world."
According to the BBC, the Taiji Cove hunt has taken place for a number of decades.
In June, Japan resumed commercial whaling for the first time since 1988. However, in what it said were for "research purposes", the country had continued to hunt whales, The Japan Times reported.
Locals say that whaling is a tradition.
"The people of Taiji have been engaged with whaling for more than 400 years; it's part of our life," said Taiji Fisheries Association senior executive Yoshifumi Kai.
"In this environment, we have no other way but to try to gain our living from the sea," Kai told The Washington Post.
But many Instagram users were shocked by the latest video with hundreds expressing their disgust and sadness.
"Absolutely heartbreaking, cruel and most of all unnecessary," one commenter said.
"These poor animals deserve so much better," another wrote.
The post has gone viral with more than 120,000 views.
Newshub.
