London, Aug 17 - Former Bond actor Pierce Brosnan is condemning the killing of dolphins for meat and urging officials in Japan to end the slaughter of the sea mammals in the country.

The Irish actor, who has been a long time environmental campaigner, has praised the work of investigative journalists who have documented the killing of dolphins in Japan in new film 'The Cove'. Brosnan says he was shocked and appalled to see the real life cruelty onscreen, reported femalefirst.co.uk.

'We have long been passionate about marine mammal protection. After watching 'The Cove', we were astonished to discover that more than than 20,000 dolphins are slaughtered in Japan each year and that their meat, which contains toxic levels of mercury, is sold to consumers and in grocery stores across Japan,' said the actor.

'This powerful and moving film is an urgent cry for help -- and now that the public finally knows the truth, we must demand change,' he added.