Five of 34 aquariums that rear dolphins say they may leave the Japanese Association of Zoos and Aquariums in light of its decision last week to prohibit them from acquiring animals caught during annual slaughters at Taiji, Wakayama Prefecture.

Two more aquariums said they will quit JAZA in the future, according to a Kyodo News survey conducted Friday and Saturday.

The association made the decision in the face of an expulsion threat from the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums, which views the hunts as cruel.