"Emotional" Heroes Star Dismissed by Dolphin Hunters

• Nov 3, 2007 12:58 PM ET
• by Matt Mitovich

A video circulating on the Internet ( watch it here) shows a group of animal-rights activists confronting fishermen in Japan about their practice of hunting dolphins and whales. Among the activists is Heroes heroine Hayden Panettiere, who in tears recalls her encounter with an ill-fated pilot whale, saying, "This baby... kind of looked at us, and the thought that [it] is no longer with us is very difficult."

According to the AP, the Japanese fishermen rationalize their pursuit by saying, "Whales and dolphins are traditionally being used [as resources] in Japan" and as such, "We cannot accept an argument simply based on emotional causes."