The capture and killing of free-living small cetaceans in the Faroe Islands is described. After being driven on-shore by motor vessels, the animals are killed without pre-stunning using officially-prescribed methods that involve severing the spinal cord and the associated blood vessels using a long-handled lance. The claim that this induces near instantaneous unconsciousness and death lacks supporting evidence: it is believed that the animals are simply paralyzed, not immediately rendered unconscious. The cervical and spinal arterial circulation of cetaceans differs from that of terrestrial mammals and it is likely the spinal lance does not completely destroy the supply of oxygenated blood to the brain. In conclusion, the entire process from driving the animals onto the shore, to restraint and to killing stranded cetaceans is very likely to be detrimental to their welfare. Detailed studies would be necessary to determine the veracity of the claimed efficacy of the process. A bespoke humane killer may improve welfare at the time of killing but its development is considered challenging.

中文翻译：

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法罗群岛捕获和捕杀小型鲸类动物是不人道的，而且几乎没有改善的余地


描述了法罗群岛捕获和捕杀自由生活的小型鲸类动物的情况。这些动物被机动船驶上岸后，无需预先致晕，而是使用官方规定的方法杀死，其中包括使用长柄长矛切断脊髓和相关血管。关于这会导致几乎瞬间失去知觉和死亡的说法缺乏支持证据：人们相信这些动物只是瘫痪了，并没有立即失去知觉。鲸类动物的颈动脉和脊髓动脉循环与陆生哺乳动物不同，脊椎矛很可能不会完全破坏大脑的含氧血液供应。总之，从将动物赶上岸，到束缚和杀死搁浅的鲸类动物的整个过程很可能不利于它们的福利。需要进行详细的研究来确定该过程所声称的功效的真实性。定制的人道杀手可能会改善杀戮时的福利，但其开发被认为具有挑战性。