Endangered whale meat imported from Iceland used for Japan dog treats [View all]

[The Straight Story]

TOKYO —

Meat from endangered whales caught by Icelandic hunters is being sold in Japan as luxury dog treats, environmental campaigners said Tuesday.

Michinoku Farm, a Tokyo-based company, is offering chews made from North Atlantic fin whales on its company website, with the meat described as a “low calorie, low fat, high protein” snack.

Japanese campaign group IKAN said selling products made from endangered species as treats for pampered pooches was the worst kind of conspicuous consumption.

“The most likely reason for shops to sell the whale meat dog treat is to target affluent Japanese who want to show off their wealth with something different,” said Nanami Kurasawa, executive director of the pressure group.

Michinoku’s website, which also sells pet goodies it says are made from Mongolian horses and from kangaroos, has three different sized packets of whale chews, with a 60-gram bag selling for 609 yen and a 500-gram bag for 3,780 yen.

http://www.japantoday.com/category/national/view/endangered-whale-meat-caught-by-iceland-used-for-japan-dog-treats-ngos