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

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“SAFE will continue to speak out against duck shooting until this outdated blood sport is illegal in New Zealand.”