Close
News Blog Articles Media statement on duck shooting violence to erupt on the nation’s waterways

Media statement on duck shooting violence to erupt on the nation’s waterways

April 30th, 2018

Thousands of ducks, geese and swans will be killed or left injured by  hunters when duck shooting season starts on Saturday, 5 May.

Our tranquil waterways will erupt in gunfire, slaughter and injury, says SAFE campaigns manager Marianne Macdonald.

Native species will be amongst the casualties, says Macdonald, since it  is legal to shoot Pukeko, Paradise Shelduck, Grey Duck and Shoveler.

The action of shotguns leads to high rates of injury as well as death.

“As hundreds of tiny metal pellets spread into the air, many birds are  not killed instantly but are instead left wounded, only to die a slow  and painful death.”

“Even when protected species are not themselves targeted by duck  shooters, the barrage of shotgun fire on the waterways they inhabit can  cause them severe stress and could impact their breeding viability.

Duck shooting is, for the most part, a recreational activity in New  Zealand. If there is any reason to reduce certain bird populations,  which is often not the case, there are humane alternatives to shooting  such as collection of eggs in areas which are overpopulated that will  reduce population numbers over time.

“SAFE will continue to speak out against duck shooting until this outdated blood sport is illegal in New Zealand.”

 

Donate today

Help us continue helping animals in need

As a charity, SAFE is reliant on the support of caring people like you to carry out our valuable work. Every gift goes towards providing education, undertaking research and campaigning for the benefit of all animals. SAFE is a registered charity in New Zealand (CC 40428). Contributions of $5 or more are tax-deductible.