Japan Suspends Whale-hunt:

Dharamshala: The Japanese government has allegedly called an early end to its whaling season in the waters of Antarctica, following harassment by US-based conservation group 'Sea Shepherd Conservation Society', whose ships have been following Japanese vessels and preventing them from their activities, turning this season into Japan's "worst yet".

Japan kills hundreds of whales every year in the internationally-recognised sanctuary using a loophole in international whaling regulations which allows it to hunt the animals for 'scientific research', but it is well known that the whale meat is sold to Japanese restaurants.

There has been no official confirmation from the Japanese government, however Sea Shepherd captain Paul Watson has stated that "every whale saved is a victory to us, so we've gotten a lot of victories down here this year".