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Against Animal Cruelty Tasmania (AACT) and the Tasmanian Conservation Trust (TCT) are ready to help save native ducks on the eve of the 2015 duck shooting season. Concerned citizens will take to wetlands to give defenceless native ducks a fighting chance against shooters.

Campaign Director Chris Simcox today said: “The failure of the Tasmanian Government to give protection to native ducks means that our help is needed once more to protect any that are caught in the firing line. We have a duty to help the innocent victims of yet another government-sanctioned war on wildlife.”

TCT Director Peter McGlone asked “Why is Tasmania having a recreational duck shooting season when we know waterbird numbers are at very low levels across eastern Australia? Wetlands throughout eastern Australia, including Tasmania, are quickly drying out or are already dry. Native waterbirds are in serious trouble with no reprieve in sight.”

Mr Simcox continued: “We can expect to see more horrendous suffering this year as ducks are violently blasted from the sky. We always see many that are wounded who may then die a lingering death from starvation and exposure. These high rates of wounding are often ignored and yet highly significant.”

Beginning 7 March 2015, rescue teams will be visiting wetlands in Tasmania to help Australian native waterbirds caught in the firing line.

Chris Simcox, AACT, Peter McGlone, TCT