During 'shooting season', Victoria's picturesque wetlands — usually peaceful havens and home for our unique wildlife — are transformed into Government-sanctioned killing fields. The result is decimated wetlands, and animals left to suffer with shattered bills and broken wings.
Native ducks and even endangered and 'protected' birds are gunned down by shooters, their fragile bodies shattered by pellets. Many are maimed and left for dead, with broken limbs and punctured internal organs.
The 'lucky' ones are killed instantly. The unlucky ones — an estimated one out of every four birds shot — will suffer for days or even weeks before finally succumbing to their injuries.
Perhaps most shocking of all? This cruelty is inflicted upon defenceless animals in the name of a 'sport' that the majority of caring Australians oppose, yet the Victorian Government continues to endorse.
Environmental conditions in 2019 and 2020 were catastrophic, and rare waterbirds — including the elusive Little Bitterns — headed south in search of drought refuge. Tragically, this literally put them right in the line of fire of Victorian shooters.
Now, the Andrews Government has approved a brutal 2021 season, even though waterbird populations are even lower than last year. In fact, 5 out of 8 'game' species are in significant long term decline. These animals need your voice NOW!
Duck shooting has already been banned in Queensland, New South Wales and Western Australia due to extreme cruelty. Why is Victoria lagging behind?
Your voice is critical right now. Please help protect our precious native waterbirds, by speaking out for wildlife, and urging Victorian law makers to end duck shooting, for good.