A UK conservation group recently said that whale meat caught under Japan's “research” programme is so abundant it is being sold as pet food. The Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society (WDCS) say that thousands of tonnes of whale meat has been stockpiled as more animals are killed each year. The Japanese government has attempted to sell the whale meat to schools but the price has continued to fall. “A quiet whale meat boom is starting,” says the website hakudai.com. “The number of pet-owners who care about their animals' health are growing, recognising the nutritious value of whale meat,” it adds.