A heartbreaking video from Japan shows a pod of dolphins swimming close together to comfort each other before hunters slaughtered some of them and take some into captivity.

It’s been a tragic start to the dolphin hunting season here in Taiji. The month is not even half over yet and we have seen brutal slaughters and heartbreaking captures take place. Read more: https://t.co/uHAlVLpD00#DolphinProject #EmptyTheTanks #PilotWhale #TheCove pic.twitter.com/aKew3HA9CN

— Dolphin Project (@Dolphin_Project) September 11, 2019

The video was reportedly recorded in a cove located close to Taiji, Japan.

A lot of pilot whales and oceanic dolphins live in Taiji, Japan.

According to Dolphin Project, a charity from the United States, said the dolphins were swimming in a tight circle around to comfort each other.

The incident reportedly happened on September 10, 2019.

The divers took 8 dolphins for captivity, and the rest were killed for meat, which will be used in the Taiji Cove Hunt.

The mother of the dolphins was also killed, she spent the entire night comforting her family.

She could also be seen floating alone in the water before she was hauled away.

Every year in Japan, from September until February, the port of Taiji has horrific scenes.

During these months, fishermen are allowed to hunt dolphins and other sea creatures.

It is said that the fishermen use metal poles that are inserted into the water and are struck with hammers so they could create a sound that will confuse the sea animals.

It is reported that this trick drives the sea animals into the cove.

The fishermen then dive into the water to capture or kill the animals.

For this year, fishermen have been granted to kill 1749 dolphins and 101 short-finned pilot whales.

Per year, the Japanese Fisheries Agency allows fishermen to capture and kill 16,000 cetaceans.

Earlier this year, Japan returned and continued commercial whale hunting even after being criticized by other countries.