ENVIRONMENTALISTS are outraged that a protected species has been shot and killed at a wetland close to a caravan park and roads.
Western Suburbs Animal Rescue Service spokesman Nathan Miles said the group entered the Western Wetlands in Rockbank last week after receiving calls about illegal shooting.
He said they found a dead black-winged stilt with a hole in its chest.
The incident occurred during the opening of the Victorian duck shooting season on March 17.
The stilt, a waterbird, is listed under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conversation Act 1999.
“It was quite a large hole; one or two pellets had killed the waterbird,” Mr Miles said.
Kristy Whitefield, who found the dead stilt lying face down in the water, said she was concerned for the welfare of the wide range of fauna – including swans, ducks and mallards – that called the area home.
“Who knows what else was shot? I found feathers and fresh footprints. It is just awful.”
Mr Miles visited the wetlands again on Sunday and found a live shotgun shell.
He said he also found shotgun cartridges along the water’s edge and duck feathers from birds that had been plucked after being shot.
“This wetland is fully protected and shooting of any kind is prohibited, but it has been illegally targeted by duck shooters,” he said.
“[We] strongly condemn the actions of these illegal shooters and are calling on the community to report to police any illegal shooting.”
Melton police and the Department of Primary Industries said they had not received any reports of shooting in the area.
A DPI spokesman said under the Wildlife Act, the maximum penalty for taking protected wildlife was about $6000 and/or six months jail.
Victorian Investments and Properties Pty Ltd owns the land where the Western Wetlands is located, inside the urban growth boundary for Rockbank North.
A spokesman confirmed the developer was aware of the shooting claims and was working closely with Mr Miles and Melton Council.
“We believe that council is in contact with the Department of Sustainability and Environment.”
Mr Miles called for signage to be installed indicating that shooting in the area was illegal.
“Putting the animals aside, the illegal shooting is quite close to the Western Highway and very close to the Rockbank caravan park, raising concerns for public safety,” he said.
Coalition Against Duck Shooting leader Laurie Levy said the incident highlighted the danger of illegal shooting occurring in Victoria.
“The department needs to crack down on illegal shooting,” he said.
“We are saying that if the Minister for Agriculture, Peter Walsh, would give the coalition the authority to apprehend illegal shooters, we would.”
Mr Levy said many similar reports of protected species being killed were made last year.
“The government needs to have more patrols in these areas to avoid illegal shooting.”
