Save native ducks from ‘recreational’ slaughter.

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Help end duck shooting in Victoria

The Allan Government continues to approve shooting, despite the evidence of illegal shooter activity, and the science showing waterbird numbers are in serious long-term decline. Native ducks need you to speak up for them.

A duck is violently swung around by their neck, in the hands of a shooter wearing camouflage in a lake.
Credit: Doug Gimesy

Help end duck shooting in Victoria

The Allan Government continues to approve shooting, despite the evidence of illegal shooter activity, and the science showing waterbird numbers are in serious long-term decline. Native ducks need you to speak up for them.

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Thank you for wanting to protect animals from cruelty! This action is for residents of Victoria only.

The Prime Minister’s email address is no longer monitored, but you can still contact Prime Minister Anthony Albanese here. Thank you for wanting to protect animals from cruelty!

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The Premier, Deputy Premier, Ministers for Environment and Outdoor Recreation, Agriculture, Climate Action, and State MP
Dear Premier, Deputy Premier, Ministers, and Members of Parliament,
Regards
.

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Animals Australia

Animals Australia team

Last updated January 31, 2024

During ‘shooting season’, Victoria’s picturesque wetlands — usually peaceful havens 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.

Shot while struggling to thrive

Sadly, research has revealed that ducks are among the native species struggling to thrive. According to the latest annual Aerial Survey of Waterbirds in Eastern Australia, populations of ‘game’ species of ducks are still dire.

During the recent inquiry into the hunting of native waterbirds in the state, evidence of this deeply concerning long-term decline of waterbird populations was brought to light. In spite of this, the Victorian Government has decided to allow the slaughter to continue.

Last ‘shooting season’, 6 of 8 duck species that the government allowed to be killed for recreation were found to be in serious long-term decline. Two species of ‘game’ ducks, Pink-eared and Hardheads, were resilient in earlier times but have suffered population collapse during the last decade due to ongoing shooting seasons. Two further “game” species are now on Victoria’s threatened species list (Hardhead and Blue-winged Shoveler). The Victorian Government cannot afford to wait for more species to be pushed to the brink as others have.

2022 saw an ‘open season’ of 90 days that killed over 320 000 ducks, not including the estimated 1 in 4 wounded and left to die on the wetlands. During the first week of the 2023 shooting season alone, 73 native waterbirds who were shot and left to die were assessed by Wildlife Victoria’s vet triage team – sadly, all had to be euthanised due to the severity of their gunshot wounds, including eight threatened species illegally shot.

Waterbirds suffer for ‘sport’

Native ducks and sometimes even endangered and ‘protected’ birds are gunned down by shooters, their fragile bodies shattered by pellets.  

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 awful of all? This cruelty is inflicted upon defenceless animals in the name of a ‘sport’ that the majority of caring Australians oppose.

To make an awful situation worse, according to the government’s own survey, shockingly few Victorian shooters understand the ‘rules’ when it comes to killing waterbirds. In light of the survey findings, the Victorian Government is knowingly letting shooters onto the wetlands who don’t have the necessary animal welfare knowledge, don’t know which ducks they can legally shoot and which species are ‘protected’, and on top of this, don’t understand close-range shooting safety risks. 

Despite all the evidence, the Victorian Government is appeasing the minority (shooters), ignoring the majority of Victorians, and threatening the long-term survival of our native wildlife.

More rules broken: some Victorian shooters using illegal ammunition

Lead ammunition is still being used by some shooters in the state, despite being banned for two decades – yet another example of the rules in place failing to protect wildlife. After causing an excruciating death for birds who are shot and escape, lead remains in the environment for years, posing a threat to protected animals like wedge-tailed eagles and scavenging wildlife.

The high levels of lead found in ducks at four Victorian waterways in the past four years indicate a potential risk to human health too. Uncovered in Freedom of Information documents, levels were “well above” food safety standards. The EPA was advised to investigate the potential risks to the environment and to humans before the commencement of the 2021 ‘shooting season’, however the government is still yet to issue any public health warnings.


Wildlife desperately need your voice

Victoria is years behind the progress of other states. Duck shooting was banned in WA, NSW and QLD in the 90s and early 2000s on animal cruelty and environmental protection grounds. A ban in Victoria is long overdue.

Along with thousands of dedicated supporters, Animals Australia has participated in the current government Inquiry into the future of recreational shooting of ducks and quail. As the committee deliberates in preparation for presenting its report to Parliament, your voice is critical.

Please continue to urge the government to acknowledge the scientifically validated survey findings as well as the irrefutable evidence of duck shooting cruelty, and properly protect Australia’s waterbirds for good. 

Help end duck shooting in Victoria

 actions have been taken.
Animals Australia
* Indicates required field.

Thank you for wanting to protect animals from cruelty! This action is for residents of Victoria only.

The Prime Minister’s email address is no longer monitored, but you can still contact Prime Minister Anthony Albanese here. Thank you for wanting to protect animals from cruelty!

By completing this action, you give permission for Animals Australia to contact you. You can unsubscribe from updates at any time.

Loading...


Your details are safe, refer to our privacy policy

* Indicates required field.

Please add a subject line, and consider editing in your own words. Personalised letters have a greater impact for animals.

Your representative is:

The Premier, Deputy Premier, Ministers for Environment and Outdoor Recreation, Agriculture, Climate Action, and State MP
Dear Premier, Deputy Premier, Ministers, and Members of Parliament,
Regards
.

Validating...


You’re almost ready to help make a difference!

To maximise the impact of your letter, you should send it from your own email program.

    1. Click "Prepare my email message" below.
    2. You will be redirected to your own email program, where a new email draft will be pre-populated.
    3. You will have the opportunity to edit the email and personalise it to give it more impact if you wish. Otherwise, just press "SEND" through your email program.

That’s it! With those simple steps, you can ensure your voice is heard in the call for valuable, meaningful change. So, what are you waiting for? Let’s call for kindness, now.

You’re ready to take action!

Ready to help us make important, meaningful change? Send your message now and add your voice to the call for kindness.

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Thank you !

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Help us spread the word and encourage others to take action to end animal cruelty by sharing it on social media.