American anti-dolphin-hunt activist arrested in Japan

September 1, 2015 at 3:00 a.m. | Updated September 1, 2015 at 3:20 a.m.

by Associated Press

FILE - In this June 15, 2010 file photo, Ric O'Barry, whose efforts to save dolphins is documented in the Oscar-winning film "The Cove," speaks during an interview in Tokyo. Anti-dolphin-hunt campaigner Ric O’Barry is in detention in western Japan after being arrested for not carrying his passport. His son and fellow activist Lincoln O’Barry said the 75-year-old American was stopped while driving home from dinner at a restaurant Monday night, Aug. 31, 2015. (AP Photo/Koji Sasahara, File)
FILE - In this June 15, 2010 file photo, Ric O'Barry, whose efforts to save dolphins is documented in the Oscar-winning film "The Cove," speaks during an interview in Tokyo. Anti-dolphin-hunt campaigner Ric O’Barry is in detention in western Japan after being arrested for not carrying his passport. His son and fellow activist Lincoln O’Barry said the 75-year-old American was stopped while driving home from dinner at a restaurant Monday night, Aug. 31, 2015. (AP Photo/Koji Sasahara, File)

TOKYO (AP) - Anti-dolphin-hunt campaigner Ric O'Barry is in detention in western Japan after being arrested for not carrying his passport.

His son and fellow activist Lincoln O'Barry said from Los Angeles that his 75-year-old father was stopped driving way home from dinner at a restaurant Monday night.

Police say they received a report that O'Barry might be driving under the influence of alcohol. He passed an alcohol test but was arrested after he could not produce his passport.

Japanese law requires that foreigners carry their passports or another acceptable form of ID.

O'Barry trained dolphins for the 1960s "Flipper" TV series, and starred in an Oscar-winning documentary about a bloody dolphin hunt in Japan. The American activist is in Japan to monitor and report on the annual hunt.

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