Trying to Save Dolphins From Death on 'Blood Dolphins' (VIDEO)

Ric O'Barry is a former dolphin trainer who gained fame in the 1960s. He captured and trained the dolphins who played the title character in the popular television show 'Flipper.' But according to O'Barry, he turned against his former career when one of his captured sea mammals committed suicide.

The tragedy occurred when a dolphin intentionally held its breath until it died, expiring while Ric held the creature in his arms. This made Ric realize that it was cruel for humans to use the animals for their own purposes. Since that time, he has crusaded on the part of dolphins. O'Barry has spent over forty years trying to free dolphins from captivity, and also trying to end the practice of killing the animals in the wild.

Ric recently received public attention for his documentary 'The Cove' -- a film which chronicles the death of more than 20,000 dolphins every year in Japan. Now, he is appearing in 'Blood Dolphins' (Fri., 9PM ET on Animal Planet). This three-part miniseries expands on Ric's efforts to help marine mammals.

On the latest episode, Ric and his son Lincoln O'Barry visit the Solomon Islands, one of the few remaining places on Earth where dolphins are still hunted. An estimated 600 to 1,500 dolphins are killed there every year. Some of the animals are eaten, while a few are merely captured and sent to water parks around the world. The indigenous population also uses dolphin teeth as currency and as jewelry.

Ric has talked to one of the the leading dolphin dealers on the Solomons -- and the man claims that he is ready to give up the business. But then a rival dealer shows up outside Ric's hotel and physically threatens O'Barry and his team. The police have to come; now the mission is in jeopardy. Will O'Barry succeed in his quest to save dolphins?