I really must answer the complete claptrap propogation attempts by a few emotive exaggerators that have been writing to your paper. I am not a shooter. I have seen the swan drive in previous years. It is a necessary (if not palatable to some people) method to protect our harbour from a growing invasion of pests.
The swan numbers need to be reduced because (according to DOC, MAF, and the Tauranga Airport Authority) they damage vital seagrass, contribute to harbour pollution and are a threat to aircraft.
If you doubt it, call the airport authority, DOC and MAF. But the grizzlers won't, because they don't want to believe it.
I have seen all of this. Swans and geese pull massive amounts of seagrass out by the roots and after a grazing session, masses of destroyed weed floats ashore. This is decimating vital ecology.
Shot swans do not suffer any more than a chicken on a farm, a pig bred for meat or any other animal harvested for food.
Have you considered the death of chickens that are killed by being flung down a chute into the blades of a chopper? Hope you enjoy your next feed of nuggets.
Despite their attempts to suggest otherwise, all birds are shot in air. Any that are wounded are immediately despatched. It is fast and efficient. Shotguns provide fast resolution. Whether or not the shooters are taking part for food provision, a sense of community contribution or the 'thrill of the kill” or a combination of those; is really no one else's business. I'm sure all those do-gooder letter writers have some peculiar habits of their own, and I'd rather not know. So what if some get a thrill from the kill? They are performing a community service at the same time. We should be paying for their ammo.
Swan droppings are not cleared from the harbour by each tide. They sit on the seabed, contributing to E.Coli counts. There is a reason human sewage is not dumped into the harbour. It stays there. Swan poo is no different.
Would those bleating about swan droppings being 'harmless” put up with me and my family taking a dump on the beach outside their homes? There would be outrage.
If those protesters really want to get their teeth into something, watch a possum (or a ‘non target' species such as a dog, pig, horse) die a slow and excruciating death from 1080 poisoning. Then'll you see the swans are actually lucky to have a quick death.
R. Shaw, Omokoroa.