ANIMAL FORUM

The RSPB led ( http://tinyurl.com/2tlp8w )slaughter of the entire
population of UK ruddy ducks is not quite going as well as they
planned.

Protesters claim duck cull victory

http://tinyurl.com/2s5hdk

ENDANGERED SPECIES: The ruddy duck, which is being targeted by Defra

Animal rights protesters are claiming to have halted a second cull of
Wigans ruddy duck population.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) says
foggy weather stopped the shooting after only four birds were killed,
but protesters trying to save the remaining 50 ducks maintain one of
their supporters disrupted proceedings.

Since the first cull on October 31, NW Hunt Saboteurs activists have
been patrolling the Flashes early in the morning to watch out for
Defra officials.
Group supporter John Barker, 60, says he saw Defra marksmen at
Pearsons Flash at around 6.45am on Friday, but claims there were no
signs warning the public shooting was taking place.

He said: There was a very thick mist so I would have thought it would
have been dangerous to shoot.
There were two people on the bank who looked like they were directing
operations and I saw one man with a rifle.
I had a video camera and started trying to film but one of the men
came over and put his hand over the lens and said You cant film
this.

This is Defra work and you cant film Defra work.
He said they were stopping people coming to the area, but I pointed
out I hadnt been stopped so how did they know other people werent
around?
John walked round the water and saw another man with a walkie-talkie.

He said: I heard about seven shots. Then they left. I think they were
told to stop because I was getting too close to where they were
shooting.
After being alerted by John, around six protesters travelled to the
Flashes, but the Defra officials had already left.

Wigans ruddy ducks are being culled over concerns small numbers are
flying to Spain and mating with the native white-headed duck,
endangering the long-term future of the species.
A Defra spokesman said: Weather conditions meant only a limited
period was available to conduct ruddy duck control at Pearsons Flash.

Before shooting began the Central Science Laboratory placed a number
of footpath wardens around the site to ensure shooting did not affect
the safety of members of the public.
CSL staff are equipped with remote control radios and can contact
control staff at all times. In the event public health or safety is
perceived to be at risk, control work is halted immediately.

The full article contains 399 words and appears in n/a newspaper.Last
Updated: 19 November 2007 9:55 AM








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