[Greens-Media] Massacre of hundreds of protected species shows duck season must end - Pennicuik

[Amanda.Sharp at parliament.vic.gov.au]

13 May 2013

Massacre of hundreds of protected species shows duck season must end 

Revelations in today's Age regarding the massacre of hundreds of ducks and 
protected species, left to die in the water in what was clearly an 
organised shooting spree, is emblematic of why duck shooting should be 
banned once and for all, Greens MP, Sue Pennicuik said today. 

"What is worse is that this terrible incident, which must be shocking to 
the majority of Victorians who don’t support duck shooting, could have 
been prevented if warnings had been heeded," Ms Pennicuik said. 

The Director of Game Victoria - the government’s new unit set up to 
promote shooting, Mr Simon Toop, said on radio this morning* that between 
100 and 150 shooters were present at the Box Flat Swamp on the opening 
morning of the three month duck season. He also described Box Flat as a 
small wetland, not well known – a private wetland. 

"So, if 100 to 150 duck shooters had gathered at this small, private 
wetland, then it was clearly planned and they probably thought it would 
not be policed and they were right. The Minister has said on a number of 
occasions that duck shooting is heavily regulated and enforced. This 
incident shows it clearly is not," Ms Pennicuik said. 

"That more than 900 birds, including rare and protected species were found 
in the water shows that clearly many more were shot because some would 
have flown away to die later and presumably shooters would have taken 
their ten birds home. With 100 to 150 shooters there, that could be 1000 
to 1500 birds. 

"Duck rescuers have found many more protected species shot and left at 
other wetlands since the start of the season. 

"What is all the more disturbing is that a DSE officer was warned, and so 
presumably Game Victoria knew, that a large number of shooters were going 
to converge on this wetland on the opening morning and that a similar 
incident had occurred last year, but they chose not to attend and so this 
disgraceful incident was allowed to occur. 

"I first became aware of this incident on 20 March and raised it that 
night in parliament," Ms Pennicuik said. "The minister's response was 
handed to me late last week, promising that prosecutions will follow where 
there is sufficient evidence. 

"I hope so, because the focus to date has been on prosecuting duck 
rescuers for trying to help wounded birds. 

"It is time this barbaric activity was banned forever," Ms Pennicuik 
concluded. 

* 
http://www.theage.com.au/environment/animals/hunter-warned-of-bird-massacre-20130512-2jg5r.html#ixzz2T9Qo8ECK
 
For further comment: Sue Pennicuik – 0409 055 875


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Parliament of Victoria                                                                                                                    . 
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